# ZipLaw > All the resources you need to get a Training Contract this year. We explain how news stories impact law firms so you can stand out in your law firm applications. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### ZipLaw+ URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziplawplus3/ Last updated: 2024-06-06T14:38:32.000Z ## How I went from 20+ rejected applications to qualified solicitor using ZipLaw+ [Try ZipLaw+](#/portal/signup) Dear friend, If you're looking to **secure a Training Contract at a top law firm**, this letter will show you how. Here are the details: A career in law is great. I've been a **qualified solicitor** since September 2022 and loved every bit of it. But getting to this point has been hard. Many law firms offer training contracts. Problem is there are thousands of students and graduates vying for the same limited spots. **Rising above the crowd is near impossible.** You deserve a proper shot at securing a TC. So if you want this to be the year you secure a Training Contract, then the next 3 minutes will be an important read. Because I'd like to invite you to join hundreds of **students and graduates taking advantage of the tools** I've used to secure a TC and qualify as a solicitor. But before I do... Let me give you a quick run-through of how I went from a generic applicant struggling to get work experience, to qualifying as a solicitor at a top law firm... and how you might too. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/5E9DF6CE-D55B-450A-A044-BB58A5AE4D7B.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/review-by-vera-mayzel-4--1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/1652087286731--1---1-.jpg) ## Escape the endless application cycles My name is Ludo. I'm a qualified solicitor. 4 years ago, I used to be a law student, desperately trying to secure a TC. But after receiving almost 30+ rejections in my applications I started doubting whether this was the right career for me. No matter what I did, I was told my ****Commercial Awareness** wasn't up to scratch.So I created the tools that now form part of ****ZipLaw+** and used them to secure a TC and become a qualified solicitor at BDB Pitmans LLP. [Try ZipLaw+](#/portal/signup) ## What you need to secure a Training Contract in 2024 As part of my job I've been able to experience the other side of applications and understand what graduate recruitment teams look for in applicants. A key skill they look for is **Commercial Awareness**. As the world rapidly evolves with Artificial Intelligence and other tech advancements, having an in-depth level of commercial awareness can make all the difference in securing a TC and becoming a top lawyer. But unfortunately, far too many applicants provide general answers to application questions and rely on a limited level of commercial awareness. Result? They face tons of rejections while applicants with better commercial awareness and research skills stand out. I know because I used to be one of those left behind. This all changed when I understood just how much commercial awareness matters. I invested all my time in developing it and suddenly I was getting offers for Assessment Centres, interviews and ultimately a TC. **Commercial Awareness is a true differentiator.** It can make you an average applicant or a superb one. So how do you go about developing your commercial awareness? ### Most people can understand the news...but only a few can leverage them in law firm applications Reading the news is not enough. You *need* to understand how news impact law firms and be able to explain it. But you also *need* to have access to unique stories such as court cases and deals which law firms acted on to showcase your in-depth research of the firm. ## Announcing: ZipLaw+ ZipLaw+ is the ultimate subscription to help you do just that and stand out in Law Firm applications. [Try ZipLaw+](#/portal/signup) ZipLaw+ gives you all the tools you need to stand out in applications, impress your interviewers, and drastically cut your time spent preparing applications. You'll learn how to identify news stories' impacts on law firms and discover unique court cases and deals which they advise on. **Here's exactly what you'll get:** ## ZipTracker Database Ever found yourself spending days researching court cases or deals law firms advised on and struggling to find any decent ones? **ZipTracker is the solution to that problem.** It's a database where we have collected all our analysis of hundreds of court cases and deals **100+ law firms** through which you can filter by law firm, practice area, chambers and more! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/01/Graphics--26-.png) You can filter by 100+ Law Firms, 30+ Chambers, and 20 Legal Practice Areas to target your search like never before. Then click on the case or deal you want to bring out our detailed report with a clear summary alongside the key points we'd recommend discussing in an application or interview. ![upload in progress, 0](https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fqmUS0B96GBt5Ii9Oj-ZHZ1Z5v8AfqT5x2PJeQZNkq-qYErKeM7jzhirDZPEFabC4j_0yI0RsV6c5CbHz9a38U-NV7ydiOoFXz4MkLhtF5pOSet-kfBbqOEqWHaNZTDA71HaB0mtYF7RT-KXfB3oHA7kjyq6B16suj0hQnb9iTe3dh_im55XFCei7io7w-MS2RDHd7OqbIt56fMutuNHvFjlQb_LbgBc2GJacs8vPl9GMhdIGVcal53-zjw1jR4OMu8ckg=s0-d-e1-ft#https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/f1a9ee9c-6d22-440b-8cff-5ebb77846ac9/2023__18_41_30__Copy_.gif) And boom. You've done days worth of research in minutes and can now draft a standout applications to get your TC. This is one of our most loved features and we are sure it's going to be one of your favourite too! [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/review-by-adam-1.png) ### The Week in 10 minutes Every Saturday morning I sit down and prepare a **roundup of the top news stories of the week.** I analyse each one to explain **how they impact law firms and their clients.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/01/Graphics--18-.png) I then send this to our ZipLaw+ members. That way they can catch up on all they need to know plus understand the consequences for law firms in 10 minutes or less. This is one of our members' favourite features. It has saved members hours (if not days!) in research and many have used the stories we cover in their successful TC and Vac Scheme applications. [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ### **Discover unique trends** When I was preparing applications, I struggled with a) picking a news story to discuss; and b) understanding how they impact key industries in which law firms advise. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/01/Graphics--19-.png) So I created the **Deep Dives newsletters** where I pick out a key trend in an industry e.g. manufacturing, private equity, real estate. I then explain what it all means and how it impacts law firms. To date I've covered all sorts of trends including the top M&A trends of 2024, top law firm risks of 2024, and the must-know trends in Artificial Intelligence (just to name a few!). **Result?** You get a unique story ready to go with all the key points covered so you're ready to stand out in your application or interview, with little to no effort (yay!). [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/01/clubhouse--11-.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/10/465E7617-F51E-49DF-ACB3-D7AD831A408E.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/review-by-adam-1.png) ## Standing out in law firm applications has never been easier. [I'M IN - LET'S DO THIS](#/portal/signup) # Trusted by hundreds of readers ❤️ ### FAQ #### Can I cancel? Yes you can cancel any time although we are pretty confident you'll love ZipLaw+! #### Who writes ZipLaw+? All the content is written by me (i.e. Ludo). I'm a qualified commercial and technology solicitor at BDB Pitmans. Find out more about what I do on my LinkedIn :) #### Does this actually work? I used the tools that now form part of ZipLaw+ to get my Training Contract. Hundreds of readers have secured a TC or a vacation schemes by using ZipLaw+. We get emails every week from readers that have used ZipLaw+ resources to draft applications or prepare for interviews and got the job. The most common feedback we get is that we made commercial awareness super easy and their interviewers were very impressed with the insights they provided in applications or interviews. We do all we can to make ZipLaw+ as valuable to help you get the job you want. ## Standing out in law firm applications has never been easier. [I'M IN - LET'S DO THIS](#/portal/signup) ### Welcome to ZipLaw+! URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/welcome/ Last updated: 2025-05-03T13:58:02.000Z **You are awesome and we love you 🥳** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/Welcome-Michael-Scott-GIF.gif) **🚀** As a ZipLaw+ member, you now have **unlimited access** to our: [**ZipTracker Database**](https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziptracker-database/) with 350+ court cases and deals 120+ Law Firms advised on. The ultimate research superpower to make your applications stand out! **Daily + Weekly Memo:** We summarise the top news of the day so you can stay up to date in minutes. **Application Insider:** Your ultimate resource to access previous successful law firm applications, law firm profiles and insights on assessment centres or interviews.Access all our reports [here](https://www.ziplaw.uk/application-insider/). **Deep Dive + Insights newsletters** where we pick out a unique trend and explain in detail step-by-step how to discuss it in applications or interviews. **Discounted Application Reviews.** You can now secure an application review for only £29 (that's 50% off the standard price!) [Access the ZipTracker now](https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziptracker-database/) --- ### Thank you. You're making a difference! We do not have investors or large resources we can rely on. Our entire operation is reliant on the amazing support from readers like you. **Without paying subscribers like you, ZipLaw would not exist.** **Our aim is to keep providing more value to *you.*** We're trying to level the playing field of law firm applications and make commercial awareness simple. You make ZipLaw possible. Thank you, Ludo and the ZipLaw Team ❤️ --- *Need assistance or have questions? Reach out to me anytime at ludo@ziplaw.uk.* ### Welcome! URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/welcome-free/ Last updated: 2026-05-12T14:56:17.000Z _This page is for subscribers only._ ### ZipLaw+ URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziplawplustap/ Last updated: 2024-05-27T16:06:58.000Z ## You are one tap away from the resources you need to get a TC [Try ZipLaw+](#/portal/signup) Hi friend, my name is Ludo 👋 If you want to **secure a Training Contract this year**, you're in the right place. I've been a **Solicitor** since September 2022 and loved every bit of it. But getting to this point has been hard. Many law firms offer training contracts. Problem is there are thousands of students and graduates vying for the same limited spots. **Rising above the crowd is near impossible.** But you deserve a proper shot at securing a TC. That is why I created ZipLaw+ to boost your commercial awareness and give you the tools you need to ace your law firm applications. ### What’s Included in ZipLaw+ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/04/Add-a-heading-1.svg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/04/Add-a-heading--2-.svg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/04/Add-a-heading--3-.svg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/04/Add-a-heading--4-.svg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/04/Add-a-heading--1-.svg) [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/04/Free--1-.svg) [Get ZipLaw+](#/portal/signup) ## Loved by hundreds of readers ❤️ ### FAQ #### Can I cancel? Yes you can cancel any time although we are pretty confident you'll love ZipLaw+! #### Who writes ZipLaw+? All the content is written by me (i.e. Ludo). I'm a qualified commercial and technology solicitor at BDB Pitmans. Find out more about what I do on my LinkedIn :) #### Does this actually work? I used the tools that now form part of ZipLaw+ to get my Training Contract. Hundreds of readers have secured a TC or a vacation schemes by using ZipLaw+. We get emails every week from readers that have used ZipLaw+ resources to draft applications or prepare for interviews and got the job. The most common feedback we get is that we made commercial awareness super easy and their interviewers were very impressed with the insights they provided in applications or interviews. We do all we can to make ZipLaw+ as valuable to help you get the job you want. ### Don't Miss Out. Join ZipLaw+ and secure your dream career in law. [Join ZipLaw+ Today](#/portal/signup) ### Breaking Barriers Programme URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/breaking-barriers-programme/ Last updated: 2023-11-03T18:42:57.000Z **Empowering Aspiring Lawyers: The Breaking Barriers Programme** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/11/image-2.png) #### Our Vision At **ZipLaw**, we believe that a career in law should be accessible to everyone. That's why we've introduced the *Breaking Barriers Programme* – an initiative committed to opening doors for aspiring legal professionals from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds. #### About the Programme The *Breaking Barriers Programme* is ZipLaw's flagship inclusivity project, designed to dismantle the obstacles that prevent talented individuals from reaching their full potential in the legal field. This programme offers sponsored subscriptions to ZipLaw's comprehensive suite of resources, ensuring that all students and graduates have the opportunity to excel. #### What We Offer - **Sponsored ZipLaw Subscriptions:** Free access to premium content that sharpens commercial awareness and provides insights into the legal profession. - **Mentorship and Networking Opportunities:** Connections with established legal professionals for guidance, support, and the inside track on navigating the law career path. - **Workshops and Webinars:** Regular sessions led by experts covering essential topics such as CV building, interview skills, and sector-specific trends. - **Supportive Community:** An inclusive platform to share experiences, ask questions, and find encouragement from peers and mentors alike. #### Our Impact - **Level the Playing Field:** We're here to ensure that your background does not dictate your future. - **Promote Diversity in Law:** By supporting a more varied pool of candidates, we contribute to a more representative legal community. - **Boost Employability:** Our resources are tailored to enhance the skills and knowledge that law firms seek in candidates. #### Join Us Whether you're a student eager to jumpstart your legal career, a law firm looking to foster talent and diversity, or a sponsor who shares our vision for equal opportunity, there's a place for you in the *Breaking Barriers Programme*. #### Get Involved - **Students:** Apply for a sponsored subscription and gain access to the tools you need to stand out. - **Law Firms & Sponsors:** Partner with us and invest in the future of a diverse and dynamic legal profession. - **Volunteers & Mentors:** Offer your expertise and experience to mentor the next generation of legal professionals. ### Your Background Shouldn't Define Your Journey With the *Breaking Barriers Programme*, it doesn’t have to. Together, we can create a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable legal landscape. #### Ready to Break Barriers? We will soon be publishing our first application form. If you would like to become one of our founding partners contact Ludo at ludo@ziplaw.uk to find out how we can work together. --- *Join us in shaping a legal community that reflects the diversity and dynamism of the society it serves. Reach out to learn more about the Breaking Barriers Programme today.* ### ZipTracker URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziplaw-copy/ Last updated: 2023-11-27T13:44:14.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/11/Graphics--5-.png) ## Stand out in Law Firm Applications Filter through 100+ court cases and deals 80+ Law Firms advised on [Access ZipTracker Now](#/portal/signup) Dear friend, My name is Ludo Lugnani. I've been a **solicitor** since September 2022 and loved every bit of it. But getting to this point has been hard. Many law firms offer training contracts. Problem is there are thousands of students and graduates vying for the same limited spots. **Rising above the crowd is near impossible.** If you want this to be the year you secure a Training Contract, then you're in the right place. I put all the tools that helped me secure a TC into ZipLaw+. Every week I send out newsletters with my first-hand insights on how news impact law firms so you can stand out in applications with minimal effort. [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ### **Why ZipLaw+?** ***The tools you need to secure a Training Contract*** ### **ZipTracker database** With **100+ court cases and deals 80+ law firms** advised on so you can draft unique applications in a fraction of the time. Filter by law firm, chambers, and practice areas to find the perfect one. Constantly updated with the latest court cases and deals. ![upload in progress, 0](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/welcome-little-one---2--1.png) ### **Weekly roundup** Every weekend we run through the top news stories of the week and **how they impact law firms** \- catch up on all you need to know in less than 10 minutes. ### **Deep dive newsletters** Our deep dive newsletters explain **step-by-step how I would discuss** the impact of unique sectors trends on law firms in applications and interviews ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/11/Minimalist-Website-Launch-Computer-Mockup-Instagram-Post--1-.png) ### **Hear It from Our Subscribers** We helped hundreds of students secure Training Contracts at top Law Firms. **You’re next.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/10/1B151167-B7B1-45E8-9A1B-3C6804EB0FD2.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/10/465E7617-F51E-49DF-ACB3-D7AD831A408E.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/review-by-adam-1.png) ### Don't Miss Out 👇 [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/10/3B138033-9FBB-43BA-8E28-A6033F31BE1C.jpeg) ## Who’s behind ZipLaw? My name is Ludo. I'm a qualified solicitor. 4 years ago, I used to be a law student, desperately trying to secure a TC. But after receiving almost 20+ rejections in my applications I started doubting whether this was the right career for me. No matter what I did, I was told my ****Commercial Awareness** wasn't up to scratch. So I created the tools that now form part of ****ZipLaw+** and used them to secure a TC and become a qualified solicitor at BDB Pitmans LLP. [Try ZipLaw+](#/portal/signup) ### **Hear It from Our Subscribers** > ZipLaw+ provided an **extremely valuable tool in my Training Contract interview preparation**. The formatting of this source was so useful in being able to digest important commercial news and think on a deeper level about how it relates to firms and their clients. This feature then enabled me to use other sources and think of the same format to digest other key news stories. The price of the yearly subscription was well worth it! Thanks to ZipLaw+ **I secured a Training Contract offer with a Magic Circle law firm.** > **Ziplaw+ is just amazing!** I find really useful the way it simplifies news stories, and explains how they relate to law firms and their clients. There is so much content and I feel so much more commercially aware just by reading it daily. The yearly subscription is truly worth the price and I'm recommending it to all my friends - give it a go, you won't regret it! > ZipLaw+ has been **instrumental in helping me in my TC journey.** There are so many great resources out there that help in keeping up with business news, but ZipLaw+ is the best when it comes to actually translating these into important legal issues and preparation for law firm applications. My favourite part is the breakdown of how particular pieces of news impact law firms, this is a truly unique and unbeatable resource when it comes to preparing for ACs and Interviews! > I've been subscribed to ZipLaw+ for several months now and have found it to be an incredibly valuable resource for developing my commercial awareness. **I love the insights that Ludo provides** into how different news items might impact law firms and their clients. These analyses give me a deeper understanding of the issues at play and have been a huge help when it comes to writing up applications and preparing for interviews! > > Overall, **I highly recommend ZipLaw+ to anyone applying for vacation schemes, training contracts** or just looking to stay informed and ahead of the curve. It's an extremely valuable resource that I look forward to reading every day. ### FAQ ### Can I cancel? Yes you can cancel any time although we are pretty confident you'll love ZipLaw+! ## Standing out in law firm applications has never been easier. [I'M IN - LET'S DO THIS](#/portal/signup) ### Privacy Policy URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/privacy-policy/ Last updated: 2023-12-14T13:39:42.000Z 👋 Hi! Welcome to ZipLaw's privacy policy! ZipLaw respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy will inform you as to how we look after your personal data when you visit our website (regardless of where you visit it from) and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you. ### **1\. Important information and who we are** **Purpose of this privacy policy** This privacy policy aims to give you information on how ZipLaw collects and processes your personal data through your use of this website, including any data you may provide through this website when you sign up for our newsletter or purchase a service. This website is not intended for children and we do not knowingly collect data relating to children. It is important that you read this privacy policy together with any other privacy policy or fair processing policy we may provide on specific occasions when we are collecting or processing personal data about you so that you are fully aware of how and why we are using your data. This privacy policy supplements other notices and privacy policies and is not intended to override them. **Controller** ZIPLAW Ltd is the controller and responsible for your personal data (collectively referred to as "ZipLaw", "we", "us" or "our" in this privacy policy). **Contact details** If you have any questions about this privacy policy or our privacy practices, please contact us in the following ways: Email address: ludo@ziplaw.uk You have the right to make a complaint at any time to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK regulator for data protection issues (www.ico.org.uk). We would, however, appreciate the chance to deal with your concerns before you approach the ICO so please contact us in the first instance. Changes to the privacy policy and your duty to inform us of changes We keep our privacy policy under regular review. It is important that the personal data we hold about you is accurate and current. Please keep us informed if your personal data changes during your relationship with us. **Third-party links** This website may include links to third-party websites, plug-ins and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy policy of every website you visit. ### **2\. The data we collect about you** Personal data, or personal information, means any information about an individual from which that person can be identified. It does not include data where the identity has been removed (anonymous data). We may collect, use, store and transfer different kinds of personal data about you which we have grouped together as follows: **Identity Data** includes first name, maiden name, last name, username or similar identifier. **Contact Data** includes billing address, email address. **Financial Data** includes bank account and payment card details. **Transaction Data** includes details about payments to and from you and other details of products and services you have purchased from us. **Technical Data** includes internet protocol (IP) address, your login data, browser type and version, time zone setting and location, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system and platform, and other technology on the devices you use to access this website. **Usage Data** includes information about how you use our website, products and services. **Marketing and Communications Data** includes your preferences in receiving marketing from us and our third parties and your communication preferences. We also collect, use and share **Aggregated Data** such as statistical or demographic data for any purpose. Aggregated Data could be derived from your personal data but is not considered personal data in law as this data will not directly or indirectly reveal your identity. For example, we may aggregate your Usage Data to calculate the percentage of users accessing a specific website feature. However, if we combine or connect Aggregated Data with your personal data so that it can directly or indirectly identify you, we treat the combined data as personal data which will be used in accordance with this privacy policy. We do not collect any **Special Categories of Personal Data** about you (this includes details about your race or ethnicity, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life, sexual orientation, political opinions, trade union membership, information about your health, and genetic and biometric data). Nor do we collect any information about criminal convictions and offences. **If you fail to provide personal data** Where we need to collect personal data by law, or under the terms of a contract we have with you, and you fail to provide that data when requested, we may not be able to perform the contract we have or are trying to enter into with you (for example, to provide you with goods or services). In this case, we may have to cancel a product or service you have with us but we will notify you if this is the case at the time. ### **3\. How is your personal data collected?** We use different methods to collect data from and about you including through: Direct interactions. You may give us your Identity, Contact and Financial Data by filling in forms or by corresponding with us by post, phone, email or otherwise. This includes personal data you provide when you: - apply for our products or services; - create an account on our website; - subscribe to our service or publications; - request marketing to be sent to you; - enter a competition, promotion or survey; or - give us feedback or contact us. Automated technologies or interactions. As you interact with our website, we will automatically collect Technical Data about your equipment, browsing actions and patterns. We collect this personal data by using cookies, server logs and other similar technologies. Contact, Financial and Transaction Data from providers of technical, payment and delivery services such as Stripe based inside the UK or EEA. ### **4\. How we use your personal data** We will only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we will use your personal data in the following circumstances: Where we need to perform the contract we are about to enter into or have entered into with you. Where it is necessary for our legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests. **Where we need to comply with a legal obligation.** Generally, we do not rely on consent as a legal basis for processing your personal data although we will get your consent before sending third party direct marketing communications to you via email or text message. You have the right to withdraw consent to marketing at any time by contacting us. **Purposes for which we will use your personal data** We have set out below, in a table format, a description of all the ways we plan to use your personal data, and which of the legal bases we rely on to do so. We have also identified what our legitimate interests are where appropriate. Note that we may process your personal data for more than one lawful ground depending on the specific purpose for which we are using your data. Please contact us if you need details about the specific legal ground we are relying on to process your personal data where more than one ground has been set out in the table below ![](https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,quality=80/uploads/asset/file/7042ade9-28f7-47a6-9b8d-195ec566ea46/image.png) **Promotional offers from us and sponsors** We may use your Identity, Contact, Technical, Usage and Profile Data to form a view on what we think you may want or need, or what may be of interest to you. This is how we decide which products, services and offers may be relevant for you (we call this marketing). You will receive marketing communications from us if you have requested information from us or purchased services from us and you have not opted out of receiving that marketing. **Third-party marketing** We will get your express opt-in consent before we share your personal data with any third party for marketing purposes. **Opting out** You can ask us or third parties to stop sending you marketing messages at any time by following the opt-out links on any marketing message sent to you or by contacting us at any time. **Cookies** You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when websites set or access cookies. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of this website may become inaccessible or not function properly. **Change of purpose** We will only use your personal data for the purposes for which we collected it, unless we reasonably consider that we need to use it for another reason and that reason is compatible with the original purpose. If you wish to get an explanation as to how the processing for the new purpose is compatible with the original purpose, please contact us. If we need to use your personal data for an unrelated purpose, we will notify you and we will explain the legal basis which allows us to do so. Please note that we may process your personal data without your knowledge or consent, in compliance with the above rules, where this is required or permitted by law. ### **5\. Disclosures of your personal data** We may share your personal data with the parties set out below for the purposes set out in the table above. External third parties such service providers acting as processors who provide IT and system administration services, professional advisers acting as processors including lawyers, bankers, auditors and insurers who provide consultancy, banking, legal, insurance and accounting services, HM Revenue & Customs, regulators and other authorities who require reporting of processing activities in certain circumstances. Third parties to whom we may choose to sell, transfer or merge parts of our business or our assets. Alternatively, we may seek to acquire other businesses or merge with them. If a change happens to our business, then the new owners may use your personal data in the same way as set out in this privacy policy. We require all third parties to respect the security of your personal data and to treat it in accordance with the law. We do not allow our third-party service providers to use your personal data for their own purposes and only permit them to process your personal data for specified purposes and in accordance with our instructions. ### **6\. International transfers** Some of our external third parties are based outside the UK so their processing of your personal data will involve a transfer of data outside the UK. Please contact us if you want further information on the specific mechanism used by us when transferring your personal data out of the UK. ### **7\. Data security** We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know. They will only process your personal data on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality. We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so. ### **8\. Data retention** How long will you use my personal data for? We will only retain your personal data for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or reporting requirements. We may retain your personal data for a longer period in the event of a complaint or if we reasonably believe there is a prospect of litigation in respect to our relationship with you. To determine the appropriate retention period for personal data, we consider the amount, nature and sensitivity of the personal data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorised use or disclosure of your personal data, the purposes for which we process your personal data and whether we can achieve those purposes through other means, and the applicable legal, regulatory, tax, accounting or other requirements. ### **9\. Your legal rights** Under certain circumstances, you have rights under data protection laws in relation to your personal data. - Request access to your personal data - Request correction of your personal data - Request erasure of your personal data - Object to processing of your personal data - Request restriction of processing your personal data - Request transfer of your personal data - Right to withdraw consent If you wish to exercise any of the rights set out above, please contact us. **No fee usually required** You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is clearly unfounded, repetitive or excessive. Alternatively, we could refuse to comply with your request in these circumstances. **What we may need from you** We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response. **Time limit to respond** We try to respond to all legitimate requests within one month. Occasionally it could take us longer than a month if your request is particularly complex or you have made a number of requests. In this case, we will notify you and keep you updated. ### **10\. Glossary** **LAWFUL BASIS** Legitimate Interest means the interest of our business in conducting and managing our business to enable us to give you the best service/product and the best and most secure experience. We make sure we consider and balance any potential impact on you (both positive and negative) and your rights before we process your personal data for our legitimate interests. We do not use your personal data for activities where our interests are overridden by the impact on you (unless we have your consent or are otherwise required or permitted to by law). You can obtain further information about how we assess our legitimate interests against any potential impact on you in respect of specific activities by contacting us. Performance of Contract means processing your data where it is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are a party or to take steps at your request before entering into such a contract. Comply with a legal obligation means processing your personal data where it is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation that we are subject to. **YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS** You have the right to: Request access to your personal data (commonly known as a "data subject access request"). This enables you to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it. Request correction of the personal data that we hold about you. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate data we hold about you corrected, though we may need to verify the accuracy of the new data you provide to us. Request erasure of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove personal data where there is no good reason for us continuing to process it. You also have the right to ask us to delete or remove your personal data where you have successfully exercised your right to object to processing (see below), where we may have processed your information unlawfully or where we are required to erase your personal data to comply with local law. Note, however, that we may not always be able to comply with your request of erasure for specific legal reasons which will be notified to you, if applicable, at the time of your request. Object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on a legitimate interest (or those of a third party) and there is something about your particular situation which makes you want to object to processing on this ground as you feel it impacts on your fundamental rights and freedoms. You also have the right to object where we are processing your personal data for direct marketing purposes. In some cases, we may demonstrate that we have compelling legitimate grounds to process your information which override your rights and freedoms. Request restriction of processing of your personal data. This enables you to ask us to suspend the processing of your personal data in the following scenarios: If you want us to establish the data's accuracy. Where our use of the data is unlawful but you do not want us to erase it. Where you need us to hold the data even if we no longer require it as you need it to establish, exercise or defend legal claims. You have objected to our use of your data but we need to verify whether we have overriding legitimate grounds to use it. Request the transfer of your personal data to you or to a third party. We will provide to you, or a third party you have chosen, your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format. Note that this right only applies to automated information which you initially provided consent for us to use or where we used the information to perform a contract with you. Withdraw consent at any time where we are relying on consent to process your personal data. However, this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we may not be able to provide certain products or services to you. We will advise you if this is the case at the time you withdraw your consent. ### About Us URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/about-us/ Last updated: 2024-09-19T15:47:35.000Z ## About Us Great to see you here! 👋 We believe that everyone should have an equal shot at pursuing a career in law and **we created ZipLaw to help you get a Training Contract.** We do this by: 1. Making news understandable and enjoyable to read to help you develop your commercial awareness; 2. Sharing successful applications with our tailored feedback so you can ace yours; 3. Offering a database of 350+ cases, and deals your favourite law firms advised on; and 4. Explaining how news impact Law Firms so that you can understand how law firms operate, and stand out in law firm applications. We do this via a combination of tools including our free newsletters, a weekly roundup newsletter of the top news of the week, and the ZipTracker database (containing our analysis hundreds of court cases and deals law firms advised on, and law firm news). If you would like to learn more about the ZipTracker, Application Insiders and other tools in the ZipLaw+ subscription, [click here](https://ziplaw.uk/ziplawplus?ref=ziplaw.uk). To date, we have helped hundreds of students and graduates secure training contracts and other legal jobs at their dream law firms. We are here to help. If you have any questions feel free to get in touch, and we hope that you will join us! [Ok, I'm In!](#/portal/signup) # Created by Ludo Lugnani ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/10/3B138033-9FBB-43BA-8E28-A6033F31BE1C.jpeg) Hello, my friend! 👋 I'm Ludo and I'm a Technology Solicitor at BDB Pitmans. 4 years ago, I used to be a law student, desperately trying to secure a TC. But after receiving almost 30+ rejections in my applications I started doubting whether this was the right career for me. No matter what I did, I was told my **Commercial Awareness** wasn't up to scratch. **ZipLaw+** is quite literally the answer to all the challenges I faced in applying to law firms and all the tools that helped me secure a TC and become a qualified solicitor at BDB Pitmans LLP. ZipLaw+ was designed to be super easy to use and has helped hundreds of people secure TCs. I promise it will help you too. # Trusted by hundreds of readers ❤️ [Ok, I'm In!](#/portal/signup) ### Terms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/terms/ Last updated: 2025-01-01T17:00:02.000Z 👋 Hi! Welcome to ZipLaw's terms! If you have any questions, drop us an email at ludo@ziplaw.uk. These terms may have changed since you last reviewed them **Where to find information about us and our products** You can find everything you need to know about us, ZIPLAW Ltd, and our products on our website before you order. We also confirm the key information to you in writing before you order in your online account or in checkout screen. **When you buy from us you are agreeing that:** • We charge you when you order. • Sometimes we reject orders. • We charge interest on late payments. • We pass on increases in VAT. • We're not responsible for delays outside our control. • You're responsible for making sure your measurements are accurate. • We charge you if you don't give us information we need. • You can end an on-going contract at any point by accessing your account. • We can change services, products and these terms. • We can suspend supply (and you have rights if we do). • We can withdraw products and services. • We can end our contract with you. • We don't compensate you for all losses caused by us or our products. • We use your personal data as set out in our [Privacy Policy](https://www.ziplaw.uk/privacy-policy/). • You have several options for resolving disputes with us. • Other important terms apply to our contract. **We charge you when you order** We charge you when you order and upon the regular intervals depending on the subscription you purchased. We offer a monthly or a yearly subscription. Both of these are recurring and will continue from the date of first purchase until cancelled by you. **Sometimes we reject orders** Sometimes we reject orders, for example, because the product was mispriced by us. When this happens, we let you know as soon as possible and refund any sums you have paid. **We charge interest on late payments** If we're unable to collect any payment you owe us we charge interest on the overdue amount at the rate of 4% a year above the Bank of England base rate from time to time. This interest accrues on a daily basis from the due date until the date of actual payment of the overdue amount, whether before or after judgment. You pay us the interest together with any overdue amount. **We pass on increases in VAT** If the rate of VAT changes between your order date and the date we supply the product, we adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect. **We're not responsible for delays outside our control** If our supply of your product is delayed by an event outside our control, we contact you as soon as possible to let you know and do what we can to reduce the delay. As long as we do this, we won't compensate you for the delay. **You lose the right to cancel your purchase of any digital product, when you start to download or stream it.** You have rights if there is something wrong with your product The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says digital content must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality: · If your digital content is faulty, you're entitled to a repair or a replacement. · If the fault can't be fixed, or if it hasn't been fixed within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience, you can get some or all of your money back. · If you can show the fault has damaged your device and we haven't used reasonable care and skill, you may be entitled to a repair or compensation **We can change products and these terms** Changes we can always make. We can always change a product: • to reflect changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements; • to make minor technical adjustments and improvements, for example to address a security threat; and • to update digital content, provided that the digital content always matches the description of it that we provided to you before you bought it. We might ask you to install these updates. **We can suspend supply (and you have rights if we do)** We can suspend the supply of a product. We do this to: • deal with technical problems or make minor technical changes; • update the product to reflect changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements; or • make changes to the product (see We can change products and these terms). **We can withdraw products** We can stop providing a product, such as an ongoing service or a subscription for digital content by providing sufficient notice. **We can end our contract with you** We can end our contract with you for a product and claim any compensation due to us if: • you don't make any payment to us when it's due and you still don't make payment within 7 days of our reminding you that payment is due; • you don't, within a reasonable time of us asking for it, provide us with information, cooperation or access that we need to provide the product. **We don't compensate you for all losses caused by us or our products** We're responsible for losses you suffer caused by us breaking this contract unless the loss is: • Unexpected. It was not obvious that it would happen and nothing you said to us before we accepted your order meant we should have expected it (so, in the law, the loss was unforeseeable). • Caused by a delaying event outside our control. As long as we have taken the steps set out in the section We're not responsible for delays outside our control. • Avoidable. Something you could have avoided by taking reasonable action. For example, damage to your own digital content or device, which was caused by digital content we supplied and which you could have avoided by following our advice to apply a free update or by correctly following the installation instructions or having the minimum system requirements advised by us. • A business loss. It relates to your use of a product for the purposes of your trade, business, craft or profession. **We use your personal data as set out in our Privacy Policy** How we use any personal data you give us is set out in our [Privacy Policy](https://www.ziplaw.uk/privacy-policy/). **You have several options for resolving disputes with us** Please contact us if you have any reason for complaint (although we hope you won't!). We will discuss the matter with you to find a resolution that we are both happy with. You can go to court. These terms are governed by English law and wherever you live you can bring claims against us in the English courts. If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can also bring claims against us in the courts of the country you live in. We can claim against you in the courts of the country you live in. **Other important terms apply to our contract** We can transfer our contract with you, so that a different organisation is responsible for supplying your product. We'll tell you in writing if this happens and we'll ensure that the transfer won't affect your rights under the contract. You can only transfer your contract with us to someone else if we agree to this. Nobody else has any rights under this contract. This contract is between you and us. Nobody else can enforce it and neither of us will need to ask anybody else to sign-off on ending or changing it. If a court invalidates some of this contract, the rest of it will still apply. If a court or other authority decides that some of these terms are unlawful, the rest will continue to apply. Even if we delay in enforcing this contract, we can still enforce it later. We might not immediately chase you for not doing something (like paying) or for doing something you're not allowed to, but that doesn’t mean we can't do it later. **Addendum for purchase of Applications** This Addendum applies to the submission, purchase, and republication of successful law firm applications (“**Applications**”) provided to us. For the purposes of this Addendum, “Applications” includes completed documents submitted by candidates as part of law firm application processes, including but not limited to CVs, cover letters, application forms, and written responses that have resulted in offers for vacation schemes, training contracts, or equivalent positions. By submitting an Application to ZipLaw, you agree to the following terms, which supplement our general Terms of Use. **Licence to Use Applications** By submitting an Application to ZipLaw, you grant us an irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free, transferable, and sub-licensable licence to use, reproduce, edit, adapt, publish, distribute, and otherwise exploit the Application in any format and medium, including but not limited to our website, marketing materials, and other platforms. If ZipLaw purchases your Application, you agree that the intellectual property rights in the Application will transfer to ZipLaw upon receipt of payment. From this point onward, ZipLaw will own the Application in full, including all rights to modify, republish, or use it for any lawful purpose. You acknowledge that the licence granted under this section is irrevocable and remains in effect even if ZipLaw does not proceed with the purchase of your Application. **Warranties and Representations** By submitting an Application, you warrant and represent that: - The Application is your original work, and you are the sole owner of all rights, title, and interest in the content. - The Application does not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyrights, trademarks, or trade secrets. - The Application does not contain any confidential or proprietary information belonging to any third party unless you have obtained express permission to disclose such information. - You have not sold, licensed or granted any right whatsoever to any third party to the Application. - Further to the purchase of your Application, ZipLaw will not face any restrictions in using the Application for its intended purposes as set out in these Terms. - The information contained within the Application is accurate, truthful, and complete to the best of your knowledge. **Indemnity** You agree to fully indemnify and hold ZipLaw, its directors, officers, employees, and agents harmless from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: - Any breach of the warranties and representations set out in this Addendum. - Any third-party claim alleging that the Application infringes intellectual property rights, breaches confidentiality, or violates applicable laws. - Any inaccuracies or misrepresentations contained in the Application. **Republishing and Attribution** ZipLaw reserves the right to edit or adapt purchased Applications, including anonymising details, reformatting content, or publishing excerpts for specific use cases. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, ZipLaw may republish Applications anonymously. If attribution is requested, ZipLaw will obtain your written consent prior to publication. **Limitation of Liability** To the fullest extent permitted by law, ZipLaw’s liability in connection with the use, purchase, or republication of an Application is limited to the amount paid for the Application. ZipLaw is not liable for any indirect, consequential, or special losses arising from the submission, purchase, or use of Applications. **General** This Addendum, together with our general Terms of Use, constitutes the entire agreement between you and ZipLaw in relation to the submission and use of Applications. This Addendum is governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. By submitting an Application, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Addendum. ### Perks URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziplaw-perks/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T14:05:35.000Z Welcome to **ZipLaw+ Perks**. Unlock exclusive benefits and book your sessions at discounted prices to stand out in law firm applications 🎉 _This page is for paying subscribers only._ ### Thank you URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/thank-you-application/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T14:56:41.000Z 🥳 Thank you for booking an application review with us! Please send me your application as a word document at [ludo@ziplaw.uk](mailto:ludo@ziplaw.uk) I will get back to you between 2 - 3 business days following receipt of the relevant documents. ### Thank you URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/thank-you-cv/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T14:56:35.000Z 🥳 Thank you for booking an CV and Cover Letter review with us! **❗IMPORTANT:** Please send me your application as a word document at [ludo@ziplaw.uk](mailto:ludo@ziplaw.uk) I will get back to you between 2 - 3 business days following receipt of the relevant documents. ### Thank you URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/thank-you/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T15:03:24.000Z 🥳 Thank you for booking a coaching call with me (Ludo)! **❗IMPORTANT:** I will reach out to find a suitable time to meet via email. ### Get the Report! URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/report2024/ Last updated: 2024-02-27T11:53:36.000Z _This page is for subscribers only._ ### Join Us URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/join-us/ Last updated: 2024-02-15T11:38:23.000Z ## The Ziplaw Newsletter Written by a solicitor and a banker, we explain how news stories impact law firms so you can stand out in your applications and interviews. Join 8,000+ delighted readers [Become a subscriber](#/portal/signup) ### How it works ✅ We summarise the top news stories of the day in a quick digestible format. ✅ We pick out one key story that caught our eye and explain how it impacts law firms and their clients. ✅ We tell you how to discuss the story to stand out in law firm applications. P.S. If you sign up toour paid plan called **ziplaw+** you get access to a ton of additional features including a database with our reports on **200+ court cases and deals, featuring 100+ law firms**. Learn more about ziplaw+ [here](https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziplawplus/). [Explore our plans](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/02/Add-a-heading--1-.png) [Read a sample edition](https://www.ziplaw.uk/unite-the-minerals/) ### Who We Are **Ludo Lugnani** is a commercial and technology solicitor at BDB Pitmans LLP and founder of ziplaw. He is from Milan and unsurprisingly loves pasta and pizza. **Olivia Thomson** is a senior associate at JP Morgan specialised in security services with in-depth finance and economics expertise. She is also a fantastic baker. **Reggie** is our miniature dachshund. He is very cute but also incredibly astute in understanding how news stories impact law firms. ## Get the free newsletter Join 8,000+ delighted readers who ace their law firm applications with us [Become a subscriber](#/portal/signup) ### ZipLaw+ URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ziplawplus/ Last updated: 2025-05-21T11:54:34.000Z # Get a Training Contract this year ZipLaw+ helps you write stand-out applications, boost your commercial awareness and impress law firms so you can secure your dream TC. **Used by candidates like you to secure training contracts at top law firms including** [Join ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ## Discover Successful Applications Most candidates get rejected without any feedback. The biggest mistake they make is not knowing what they’re aiming for. They haven't seen a successful application for their dream law firm and don’t understand the standard required. But what if you had a winning example application for the same firm and questions? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/07/Graphics--8-.png) Our application insider reports gives you examples of **successful applications** with **feedback** from a qualified City lawyer. Discover exactly how a successful candidate selected, structured, and explained their experiences to tackle questions with a **winning strategy**. [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ## Research law firms in a fraction of the time Law firms rejects 90% of the applications they get and it only takes them a quick read to decide if you should move to the next stage. To stand out you need to **impress them quickly with information no one has access to**. The ZipTracker is the research tool you've been dreaming of. It's a database with **300+ entries** on court cases, deals and news involving **130+ law firms**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/07/image-9.png) Filter by **130+ law firms**, 30+ chambers, and 20 practice areas to target your search like never before. Check it daily to find the latest cases and deals. All you have to do is click on the case or deal you want to bring out our **detailed report** with a clear summary, which law firms advised and the k**ey points to discuss in an application or interview**. [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ## Become a Commercial Awareness Expert Commercial awareness is a **must-have skill for lawyers** and it will make the difference between you getting a TC or not. To impress law firms, you need to understand both what's going on in the world AND **how it impacts law firms**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/07/Graphics--7-.png) We send out a **Daily Memo** summarising all the top business and legal stories you need to know in less than 4 minutes. AND every Sunday Ziplaw+ members receive a **roundup of the top news stories of the week.** Weanalyse each one to explain **how they impact law firms and their clients.** [Try Ziplaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ## Impress with hidden Trends Knowing the news is not enough. To impress law firms you need to show them you understand the deeper trends. Our **Deep Dive newsletters** take all the stress out of this. We explain the trends you need to know in a way that makes sense (and doesn't make you fall asleep, promise). Plus **we show you how they impact law firms**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2024/07/Graphics--6-.png) These are **guaranteed to impress law firms**. Members who have used them in applications and interviews have said partners were amazed by their level of knowledge and commercial awareness. You get unique stories ready to go with all the key points covered so you're ready to stand out in your application or interview, with little to no effort (*yay!*). [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ## Created by a Solicitor ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/10/3B138033-9FBB-43BA-8E28-A6033F31BE1C.jpeg) Hello, my friend! 👋 I'm Ludo and I'm a Technology Solicitor at K&L Gates LLP. 6 years ago, I used to be a law student, desperately trying to secure a TC. But after receiving almost 30+ rejections in my applications I started doubting whether this was the right career for me. No matter what I did, I was told my **Commercial Awareness** wasn't up to scratch. **ZipLaw+** is quite literally the answer to all the challenges I faced in applying to law firms and all the tools that helped me secure a TC and become a qualified solicitor at K&L Gates LLP. ZipLaw+ was designed to be super easy to use and has helped hundreds of people secure TCs. I promise it will help you too. [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ## Trusted by thousands of readers ❤️ ### FAQ #### Can I cancel? Yes you can cancel any time although we are pretty confident you'll love ZipLaw+! #### Who writes ZipLaw+? All the content is written by me (i.e. Ludo). I'm a qualified commercial and technology solicitor at K&L Gates LLP. Find out more about what I do on my LinkedIn :) #### Does this actually work? In short, absolutely yes. I used the tools that now form part of ZipLaw+ to get my Training Contract. Hundreds of readers have secured a TC or a vacation schemes by using ZipLaw+. But don't just trust us, we're biased. We get emails every week from readers that have used ZipLaw+ resources to draft applications or prepare for interviews and got the job. The most common feedback we get is that we made commercial awareness super easy and their interviewers were very impressed with the insights they provided in applications or interviews. We do all we can to make ZipLaw+ as valuable to help you get the job you want. [Try ZipLaw+ Now](#/portal/signup) ### Membership URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/membership/ Last updated: 2024-10-26T09:19:26.000Z [Loading...](https://take.quiz-maker.com/Q80MSAU62?ref=ziplaw.uk) ## Trusted by hundreds of readers ❤️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2023/09/1652087286731--1---1-.jpg) ## Who's behind this? My name is Ludo. I'm a qualified solicitor. 4 years ago, I used to be a law student, desperately trying to secure a TC. But after receiving almost 30+ rejections in my applications I started doubting whether this was the right career for me. No matter what I did, I was told my ****Commercial Awareness** wasn't up to scratch.So I created the tools that now form part of ****ZipLaw+** and used them to secure a TC and become a qualified solicitor at BDB Pitmans LLP. [Try ZipLaw+](#/portal/signup) ### Sign In URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/signin/ Last updated: 2024-05-06T09:52:49.000Z _No content available._ ### Sign Up URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/signup/ Last updated: 2024-05-06T09:48:11.000Z _No content available._ ### My Account URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/account/ Last updated: 2024-05-19T21:04:45.000Z _No content available._ ## Posts ### Proskauer Rose - Application Insider (TC 2029) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/proskauer-rose-application-insider-tc-2029/ Last updated: 2026-11-14T10:00:00.000Z Do you want to stand out in your **Proskauer Rose TC** application? **In this Insider:** A successful TC application annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what Proskauer Rose's graduate recruitment is looking for and how to impress them. **Questions covered:** - *Cover letter* - *Why are you interested in working for Proskauer?* - *Why do you wish to pursue a career in commercial law?* - *Describe a recent commercial issue, transaction, or legal development that has interested you and explain why* **Deadline:** 11 January ### Successful Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morrison Foerster - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morrison-foerster-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-11-13T10:00:00.000Z Do you want to stand out in your **MoFo Vac Scheme** application? **In this Insider:** A successful application annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what MoFo's graduate recruitment is looking for and how to impress them. **Questions covered 👇** - *Cover letter* - *Please explain your interest in pursuing a legal career at an international law firm and your specific interest in Morrison Foerster.* - *Please detail a recent news article that has interested you and highlight how this might have an impact on Morrison Foerster’s business.* - *Please outline your personal achievements, interests and positions of responsibility. How do you think they may be relevant to the pursuit of a career in law?* **⏰ Deadline:** 5 January ### Successful Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 🤖 Nvidia's Jensen Huang Ousted: What does it mean for Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/nvidias-jensen-huang-ousted-what-does-it-mean-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-11-13T08:00:01.000Z In today's **Interview Brief**, we're breaking down the dramatic ousting of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and how to discuss the implications in your next law firm application or interview. **We're covering:** 🚨 Why was Nvidia's CEO ousted? 📈 What's the key AI market trend? 🏢 How does this impact businesses? ⚖️ How does this impact law firms? 🎤 What could a Partner ask you? Let's get into it 👇 --- **⏱️ In Short** **Jensen Huang**, the man who turned Nvidia into the world's most valuable AI chipmaker, has been forced out following revelations about his personal relationships and allegations involving a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. His departure has shaken financial markets and raised serious questions about the billions of dollars Nvidia has invested in the AI industry. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-20.png) **Here's All You Need to Know 👇** - **Who is Jensen Huang?** Nvidia's co-founder and only CEO since 1993\. He transformed the company into the world's leading supplier of AI chips, reaching a valuation of over $5tn. - **What happened?** Yesterday, Huang was ousted following revelations about two personal relationships, including one with a woman suspected of links to Chinese intelligence. - **Why is this controversial?** US authorities are investigating whether businesses connected to the woman were involved in circumventing restrictions on exporting advanced AI chips to China. No wrongdoing by Nvidia has been established. - **What's happening now?** Nvidia's CFO, Colette Kress, has become interim CEO. Its shares initially plunged as investors questioned whether the company could maintain its dominance without Huang. - **Why does this matter?** Nvidia supplies the chips powering the AI boom and invests billions in its customers, including AI developers and cloud providers. A change in its strategy could affect investment and growth across the industry. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-21.png) **📊 The Key Trend** Nvidia has become much more than a chip supplier. It also invests billions in AI developers and cloud companies that use this funding to purchase Nvidia's chips. This creates **circular financing**, where money invested by Nvidia eventually returns through chip sales. While this helps the AI industry grow, it raises questions about whether demand is driven by paying customers or continued investment. Huang championed many of these arrangements, and his departure could lead Nvidia to reconsider future funding, potentially making it harder for AI companies to finance their expansion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-22.png) **💸 What does this mean for Businesses?** - **AI companies: Could funding become harder to secure?** Companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and CoreWeave have benefited from Nvidia's investments and commercial partnerships. If new management becomes more cautious about providing financial support, some businesses may need alternative investors or more expensive borrowing. Existing binding agreements would not automatically disappear, but future projects could become harder to finance. - **Nvidia's competitors: An opportunity to gain ground.** Companies such as AMD and Broadcom could benefit if customers become concerned about Nvidia's leadership or seek to reduce their dependence on a single chip supplier. However, Nvidia's technological advantages and established software ecosystem remain significant barriers. Competitors must still demonstrate that their products can deliver comparable performance and reliability. - **Global technology companies: Greater US-China tensions.** Huang had been a prominent advocate of allowing certain Nvidia chip sales to China. His departure, combined with national security concerns, could strengthen political pressure for tighter export controls. This would affect not only Nvidia but also businesses such as TSMC and ASML, whose equipment and manufacturing capabilities support the global semiconductor industry. **⚖️ How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Clifford Chance - Playbook (Training Contract 2029) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/clifford-chance-playbook-training-contract-2029/ Last updated: 2026-11-12T12:00:01.000Z Thousands of people apply for a TC at **Clifford Chance**? Here’s the research you need to impress! **This Playbook covers:** 🏟️ Sports is a new focus area 💼 Why CC is bringing finance talent back 🏗️ The £2.45 billion behind the data centre boom ⚖️ Why the firm is hiring former regulators 🤖 AI turns greenwashing rules into legal work Plus, how to use these insights to stand out in your **TC application and interview!** **⏰ Deadline:** 18 November --- ### **Growing the Sports Practice** Clifford Chance is focused on growing its **sports practice**. Yesterday, the firm announced that **Charles Baker** had joined from Sidley. He becomes co-chair of its global entertainment and sports team, alongside Luis Alonso in Spain and Christopher Yates in London. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-17.png) Baker is a private equity lawyer who has worked on the sales of the San Diego Padres (baseball), the Washington Commanders (American football) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (basketball) - *pretty BIG deals...* **Baker isn't the only new addition.** At the start of October, Jill Kelley joined in New York from Hogan Lovells Cadwalader. Kelley spent more than five years as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs at the **New York Jets**. - **Top Tip:** Look at where Baker sits in the firm. He has joined the private equity practice, not a standalone sports group, and he is the firm’s 11th private capital partner hire of 2026\. That tells you how Clifford Chance sees sport: as an asset class that investors put money into. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-16.png) **🤔 Why does this matter?** **1\. Sport is now an investment market** Sports teams used to be bought mostly by wealthy individuals. Today private equity funds, credit funds and even athletes are buying in. In 2024, for example, the NFL voted to let approved funds own up to 10% of a team. A team offers loyal fans, broadcasting income and sponsorship, but the investor needs to know what it can actually do once it owns a stake. How much say will it have over major decisions? An attractive sporting name can hide a weak investment case: a key sponsorship might expire just when income is meant to grow, or a minority stake might carry too few rights to change course. **2\. The two hires cover the whole life of an investment** Baker brings experience of buying and selling stakes. Kelley knows how a franchise earns money and makes decisions, because she has worked inside one. Together they let the firm advise before the deal (is this worth buying, and on what terms?) and after it (how does the team grow its revenue?). The second stage is what makes this commercially interesting for CC. A team may change hands only once a decade, but sponsorship renewals, media deals, naming rights and governance questions come up every year, which gives the client reasons to keep coming back between ownership deals. **3\. The money is crossing borders** US sports are going global. The NFL has international games and the NBA plans for a European league as signs that sports deals are going global. Much of the capital is US money moving into European sport, and Clifford Chance has already acted on deals like Kroenke’s majority ownership of Arsenal and Velocity Sports Partners’ purchase of Espanyol. **⭐ How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mayer Brown - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mayer-brown-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-11-12T10:00:00.000Z Do you want to stand out in your **Mayer Brown Vac Scheme** application? **In this Insider:** A successful application annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what Mayer Brown's graduate recruitment is looking for and how to impress them. **Question covered 👇** - *Please use this section to tell us about your key achievements to date that demonstrate your skills, commitment, or personal development. This could include; positions of responsibility, extracurricular involvement, competitions and awards or other personal initiatives.* **⏰ Deadline:** 4 December ### Successful Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Winston Taylor - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/winston-taylor-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-11-11T10:10:00.000Z Do you want to stand out in your **Winston Taylor** application? **In this Insider:** A model Vacation Scheme application annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what Winston Taylor's graduate recruitment is looking for and how to impress them. **Questions covered:** - *Having researched Winston Taylor, identify one specific aspect of our work, culture, or approach that sets us apart from other firms and explain, with reference to your own values or career ambitions, why this resonates with you.* - *Describe one piece of work experience, paid employment, or voluntary activity that gave you a realistic insight into the legal profession. What did you observe or encounter that either reinforced or challenged your decision to pursue a career as a solicitor?* - *Select one current legal, commercial, or social development that you believe is relevant to Winston Taylor's practice areas in London. Explain why you chose it and how you think it might affect the firm or its clients over the next two years.* ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### FAQ: Reed Smith Written Application 2027: What should you Write and When is it Due? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-written-application-2027-what-should-you-write-and-when-is-it-due/ Last updated: 2026-11-13T10:09:34.000Z **Reed Smith's 2027 London vacation scheme application** involves an initial eligibility form, an online assessment and, for applicants who progress, written motivational questions. The main application deadline is **5pm GMT on 18 December 2026**, but that is not necessarily your individual written-stage deadline. Some applicants have reported conflicting seven-day and ten-day submission windows. If your invitation and portal disagree, contact Reed Smith's early careers team and work towards the earlier deadline until you receive confirmation. This guide covers the **London winter and spring 2027 vacation schemes**, particularly the written application stage. It does not cover the separate direct training contract recruitment route. ## What is the Reed Smith 2027 vacation scheme application process? One reason the process causes confusion is that applicants do not complete all their written answers when they first register. According to Reed Smith's official early careers guidance, the stages are: 1. **Initial application:** Submit your academic background, work experience and eligibility information. The first stage of the 2027 vacation scheme application is primarily an eligibility check. 2. **Online assessment:** Eligible applicants receive an assessment covering situational judgement, verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning. Reed Smith says this assessment is untimed and can be saved and resumed. 3. **Written application:** Successful candidates are invited to answer motivational questions explaining their interest in the firm and suitability for the opportunity. 4. **On-demand video interview:** Candidates progressing further answer strengths-based and motivational questions. 5. **Assessment centre:** Candidates review case-study material and discuss it in an interview. **The important distinction:** The written application is not the same as the initial registration form, and the video interview is a separate subsequent stage. The winter scheme runs from **19–26 February 2027**, while the spring scheme runs from **16–23 April 2027**. Successful applicants can express a preference, although places are allocated on a rolling basis. ⭐ Want to stand out in you Reed Smith Application? ****Join ZipLaw**\+ to unlock: - A successful Reed Smith VS applicaiton with our feedback ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/re-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/) - Our Playbook with all the research you need to impress Reed Smith ([see here](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-playbook-direct-tc-2028/)) - Our AC Insider: a real candidate Reed Smith AC experience ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/) [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) ## When is the Reed Smith written application due? There are two different deadlines applicants need to distinguish. ### The main vacation scheme deadline The published deadline for the 2027 vacation scheme recruitment route is **Friday 18 December 2026 at 5pm GMT**. This is the deadline shown on Reed Smith's official application portal. It is not confirmation that every candidate who has already reached the written stage has until that date to submit their motivational answers. ### Your individual written-stage deadline Candidates progressing to the written stage receive separate instructions. In late October 2026, applicants discussing the process on The Corporate Law Academy reported discrepancies between a deadline calculated from an invitation email and the date displayed on the application portal. One applicant subsequently reported receiving clarification from graduate recruitment. However, that account is **an individual applicant report, not a publicly verified rule for every candidate**. We could not find an official Reed Smith publication confirming a universal seven-day or ten-day written-stage deadline, or a standard midnight cut-off. **If your dates conflict:** - Check the original invitation, including any time-zone information. - Check the deadline displayed in your own application portal. - Save screenshots of both. - Email [**earlycareers@reedsmith.com**](mailto:earlycareers@reedsmith.com), identifying the two dates and requesting written confirmation of the applicable deadline and time. - Unless Reed Smith confirms otherwise, plan to submit by the earlier deadline to reduce the risk of missing it. Do not assume another applicant's deadline applies to you. **Hypothetical example:** Suppose an invitation arrives on 19 October. One instruction appears to allow seven calendar days, while another appears to allow ten. Those could point towards 26 October and 29 October, depending on how the period is calculated. Rather than relying on either interpretation, request clarification and aim to be ready by the earlier date. ⭐ Want to stand out in you Reed Smith Application? ****Join ZipLaw**\+ to unlock: - A successful Reed Smith VS applicaiton with our feedback ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/re-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/) - Our Playbook with all the research you need to impress Reed Smith ([see here](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-playbook-direct-tc-2028/)) - Our AC Insider: a real candidate Reed Smith AC experience ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/) [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) ## What should you write in Reed Smith's motivational questions? Reed Smith confirms that the written stage is designed to understand applicants' motivations and why they believe they would be a good fit. It has **not publicly confirmed the precise questions or word limits for every 2027 written-stage invitation**. Always use the wording in your own application. For questions about your motivation for commercial law or Reed Smith, a useful approach is to build four connections: **Your interest → Evidence → The firm's work → Why that matters to you.** ### 1\. Explain your motivation with evidence Avoid simply saying that commercial law is intellectually stimulating, fast-paced or varied. Those descriptions could apply to dozens of firms. Instead, identify what first interested you in commercial law and what you did to explore that interest. Perhaps you worked in a customer-facing business, organised a society event, studied an aspect of commercial regulation or investigated how a company responded to a commercial problem. Explain what the experience taught you about business decisions and the role lawyers play. ### 2\. Make your Reed Smith research specific Reed Smith identifies five core industry groups: - Energy and Natural Resources - Entertainment and Media - Financial Services - Health Care and Life Sciences - Transportation The firm's approach connects legal advice to the commercial realities of these sectors. That gives applicants something more useful to discuss than its international reach alone. Choose a sector or practice area you can explain convincingly. Identify the clients involved, their commercial priorities and one or two legal issues that could affect their decisions. ### 3\. Show that you understand what a trainee contributes A compelling motivation answer should not just describe exciting transactions or impressive clients. Explain why you want to develop the skills needed to contribute to that work: researching an unfamiliar issue, managing information carefully, communicating clearly or balancing legal risk with commercial objectives. Your example does not need to come from legal work experience. What matters is whether you can demonstrate the relevant skill and explain its connection to a trainee's responsibilities. ## Worked example: How to improve a generic Reed Smith application answer Consider a hypothetical applicant who helped organise a university film festival and developed an interest in media law. **The weaker approach** The applicant focuses on Reed Smith's international reputation, impressive clients, collaborative culture and opportunities to work on interesting transactions. Nothing here is necessarily wrong. The problem is that almost every point could be used in an application to another international firm. **The stronger approach** The applicant instead builds their answer around four connected points: 1. **Personal experience:** Organising a university film festival introduced them to the practical importance of screening permissions and agreements with contributors. 2. **Commercial understanding:** They recognised that securing content rights and negotiating commercial terms can determine whether a creative project goes ahead. 3. **Firm-specific research:** Reed Smith's media practice advises on matters including production, financing, distribution and digital content regulation. 4. **Career motivation:** The applicant explains why they want to develop the skills required to help media businesses navigate these commercial and legal challenges. This approach demonstrates considerably more than enthusiasm for the firm's reputation. It establishes a genuine starting point, shows commercial understanding and connects the applicant's interests to an identifiable part of Reed Smith's work. **The lesson:** A firm fact becomes persuasive when you explain why it matters to your own career decision. Research is the evidence, not the entire answer. ⭐ Want to stand out in you Reed Smith Application? ****Join ZipLaw**\+ to unlock: - A successful Reed Smith VS applicaiton with our feedback ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/re-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/) - Our Playbook with all the research you need to impress Reed Smith ([see here](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-playbook-direct-tc-2028/)) - Our AC Insider: a real candidate Reed Smith AC experience ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/) [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) ## How do you turn sector research into a strong application point? Try this three-question framework. ### 1\. What is happening in the industry? Identify a development that affects how businesses operate. For example, streaming platforms must make decisions about content investment, distribution arrangements and regulatory compliance. ### 2\. Why does it matter commercially? Consider whether the development changes costs, revenue, negotiating power, customer expectations or business risk. A streaming company entering a new market might reach millions of potential customers, but that expansion could also introduce substantial licensing costs and regulatory obligations. ### 3\. Where could Reed Smith's lawyers contribute? Connect the issue to identifiable services such as commercial agreements, financing, intellectual property or regulatory advice. For example, lawyers advising a streaming company on international expansion may need to consider how content rights, distribution agreements and applicable local regulations affect its commercial strategy. An effective application would explain the relationship between those issues, rather than simply listing legal practice areas. **ZipLaw tip:** The strongest commercial awareness points explain the business problem first and the legal implications second. This demonstrates that you understand why clients seek legal advice, rather than simply knowing what lawyers do. ## What should you check before submitting? Your final review needs to cover both the quality of your answers and the mechanics of submission. **First, check the substance.** Compare each answer with the exact question. Have you answered every part, stayed within the stated word limit and supported your claims with evidence? **Second, check your firm research.** Make sure the work, sectors and opportunities you mention are genuinely relevant to Reed Smith. Avoid presenting broad descriptions of international law firms as reasons specific to this firm. **Third, check the portal.** Confirm that you have pasted the latest version of each answer into the correct field. Read the text inside the portal, rather than relying solely on the document you drafted. **Finally, check the deadline.** Leave enough time to submit properly. Keep a copy of your answers and retain the submission confirmation or reference number. If you realise you have submitted an outdated version, contact graduate recruitment promptly. Explain the error clearly, identify the application concerned and ask whether a correction is possible. **Do not assume the portal will allow an amendment or that the firm must accept one.** ⭐ Want to stand out in you Reed Smith Application? ****Join ZipLaw**\+ to unlock: - A successful Reed Smith VS applicaiton with our feedback ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/re-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/) - Our Playbook with all the research you need to impress Reed Smith ([see here](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-playbook-direct-tc-2028/)) - Our AC Insider: a real candidate Reed Smith AC experience ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/) [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) ## Reed Smith 2027 application FAQs ### Is Reed Smith recruiting on a rolling basis? **Yes.** Reed Smith's official 2027 application portal says applications are considered on a rolling basis and recommends applying before the final deadline. This means candidates should not treat 18 December as a reason to delay a complete application unnecessarily. It does not mean an individual candidate's outcome can be predicted. ### Can I apply for both a vacation scheme and a direct training contract? **Not in the same application cycle.** Reed Smith says applicants can apply to only one vacancy per cycle and should decide between the vacation scheme and direct training contract route. The next direct training contract application route is expected to open in spring 2027, with different eligibility requirements. It should not be confused with the current vacation scheme recruitment. ### Is the Reed Smith online assessment timed? Reed Smith states that its online assessment is untimed and can be saved and resumed. However, that does **not** establish that the subsequent written application has no deadline or that the video interview follows identical rules. Check each stage's instructions separately. ### Does Reed Smith ask the same written questions every year? Applicants can learn from previous application cycles, but they should not assume the questions will remain unchanged. The only reliable starting point for a 2027 application is the wording supplied in the candidate's own written-stage invitation. For additional practice, ZipLaw's **Reed Smith Application Insider** features a successful application from an earlier recruitment cycle, alongside expert feedback on what makes an effective answer. This can help you understand how successful applicants structure their responses, but it should not be treated as confirmation of the 2027 questions. --- *Recruitment arrangements and individual deadlines may change. Always prioritise your latest instructions from Reed Smith and its authorised application portal.* ⭐ Want to stand out in you Reed Smith Application? ****Join ZipLaw**\+ to unlock: - A successful Reed Smith VS applicaiton with our feedback ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/re-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/) - Our Playbook with all the research you need to impress Reed Smith ([see here](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-playbook-direct-tc-2028/)) - Our AC Insider: a real candidate Reed Smith AC experience ([see here)](https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/) [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) ### 📈 Memo: Inflation is back? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-inflation-is-back/ Last updated: 2026-11-11T07:00:00.000Z **Good morning, ZipLawyer! 👋** **Here’s all the news you need to know:** 📈 US inflation raises rate fears 🚀 Anthropic targets $1.4tn IPO ⚖️ Nvidia's leadership faces scrutiny 🇦🇷 Argentina courts AI investment 🍔 Clifford Chance's restaurant deal --- ### Inflation is Back? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-15.png) **US inflation** eased in October but not as much as expected, raising the prospect of another interest rate increase in December. Consumer prices rose 0.4% during the month, down from 0.6% in September but above forecasts of 0.3%, as food, energy and housing costs continued to climb. Higher fuel costs, worsened by the war involving Iran, are also making it more expensive to transport goods, adding pressure on businesses already dealing with US import tariffs. Investors responded by selling US government bonds, pushing borrowing costs higher. The Federal Reserve now faces a difficult choice: raise rates to contain inflation or risk allowing prices to rise further. --- ### Anthropic targets $1.4 trillion IPO **Anthropic** is preparing for a potential stock market listing that could value the developer of Claude at approximately **$1.4 trillion**, while financial projections suggest its annual revenue could reach $685 billion by 2030\. That would represent extraordinary growth from roughly $4.6 billion in 2025, although the forecast remains highly ambitious. Anthropic has also disclosed approximately $901 billion in future computing and infrastructure commitments, demonstrating the enormous cost of developing advanced AI. Investors must now decide whether growing demand for AI services can justify this spending and the company's proposed valuation. ****Enjoying this memo?** Join ZipLaw+ today to unlock: 🗞️ ****Daily Memo:** all the business + legal news you need to know. One daily email (just like this one!) 🎯 ****Weekly Interview Cheat-sheet:** The top five stories to discuss in interviews, why they matter to law firms and how to impress when a partner asks about them. ****Plus all ZipLaw+ benefits** including full access to the ZipTracker, TC Lab, 100+ successful application and AC insiders! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) --- ### Nvidia faces leadership crisis **Nvidia** is facing growing scrutiny after its board launched an independent investigation into whether chief executive **Jensen Huang** was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation. The inquiry follows reports concerning a personal relationship with a business executive suspected of links to Chinese intelligence. Huang has acknowledged an extramarital relationship, but allegations of espionage remain unproven, and Nvidia maintains there is no reason to believe company secrets were compromised. A shareholder lawsuit has also accused the company and Huang of misleading investors, adding further legal uncertainty. Despite the controversy, major Wall Street financiers remain committed to supporting the AI industry, where Nvidia supplies many of the most important computer chips. --- ### Chinese AI companies find ways around US chip restrictions Chinese artificial intelligence companies are finding ways to access powerful American technology without importing restricted computer chips directly into China. Washington limits sales of Nvidia's most advanced processors to Chinese customers, but renting computing power from data centres overseas is not automatically covered by the same restrictions. Chinese AI developer **Moonshot** has explored accessing **Nvidia** chips hosted in Europe, while Singapore-based cloud providers serve major Chinese technology companies. This has created a growing market for overseas computing services, even as US authorities attempt to prevent sensitive technology from strengthening China's AI capabilities. Nvidia has begun asking some cloud partners to reduce their reliance on Chinese customers, while lawmakers consider tighter controls. --- ### Argentina offers tax breaks to attract AI giants **Argentina** is seeking billions of dollars in artificial intelligence investment by presenting itself as a cheaper, less regulated alternative to the United States and Europe. **President Javier Milei** wants technology companies to build data centres in **Patagonia**, where open land, cooler temperatures and access to energy could support the enormous computing facilities required to develop AI. His government has proposed reducing corporate tax rates from 25% to 15% for qualifying large investments, although the measure has not yet been approved. The opportunity comes as communities elsewhere oppose new data centres over electricity costs and environmental concerns. However, Argentina must overcome its own challenges, including economic instability, infrastructure limitations and concerns over water consumption. --- ### Clifford Chance advises Cinven on major European restaurant sale **Clifford Chance** has advised private equity firm **Cinven** on its agreement to sell its stake in **Restaurant Brands Europe**, the business behind more than 1,400 Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons restaurants across Spain, Portugal and Italy. The buyer is a consortium led by the company's founder, Gregorio Jiménez, while the purchase price has not been disclosed. Cinven invested in the business in 2021 and has since supported its expansion through restaurant openings, acquisitions and digital technology, more than doubling a key measure of its underlying earnings. The sale illustrates how private equity investors aim to increase the value of businesses before selling their investments. --- ### Gowling - Playbook (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gowling-playbook-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-11-09T14:49:53.000Z This Gowling Playbook has all the research you need to impress in your application and AC. **This Playbook (2,509 words) covers:** 🏢 How Gowling is growing its Real Estate practice ⚡ Energy lawyers and batteries 🌱 Thames mud is good 💼 How Gowling gets work from pensions 🌍 Middle East strategy Plus, how to use these insights in your application and interview! --- ### **Gowling wants Hotel work** **Gowling** is looking to boost its **property practice** by capturing all the business that comes from property sales and rentals. **How is it doing this?** - In July, Gowling announced the arrival of partner **Imogen Benson** and senior counsel **Rich Hughes from TLT**. Both brought experience in hotel and leisure finance. - Then, in September, the firm announced its work for **HSBC UK** on an eight-figure funding package for bus operator **Rotala**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-10.png) **Why does this matter?** Think about a **hotel**. Before lending money to buy it, a bank needs to understand both the building’s value and whether the hotel can earn enough to repay the loan. Who runs it, how it attracts guests and what happens if bookings fall all matter. Gowling’s July hires suggest it wants more of this financing work. Adding experienced finance lawyers gives the firm more capacity to advise the banks and investors putting money into property businesses. - **🚌 Rotala shows how this works in practice.** The funding helped the bus operator invest in depots and expand its self-storage business. Gowling advised the lender, bringing together banking and property expertise to support the investment while protecting the bank’s position if the borrower struggled to repay. **But there is always risk.** Recruiting lawyers adds cost. The investment pays off if Gowling wins enough work and its teams combine their expertise into advice that makes clients’ decisions easier. **⭐ How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### ⛳ Memo: Liv Golf comeback? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-liv-golf-comeback/ Last updated: 2026-11-09T07:00:00.000Z **Good morning, ZipLawyer! 👋** **Here’s all the news you need to know:** ⛳ LIV Golf comeback 💳 Monzo’s £7.5bn funding hunt 🤖 China blocks $5.4bn takeover 🏛️ Democrats target AI regulation 🏥 Gowling’s £400m healthcare investment 💊 Winston Taylor’s private equity deal --- ### **Liv Golf Comeback** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/5816197C-AEB3-4FBC-83AE-FDA3FB58295F.png) Private equity firm **BC Partners** is exploring a revival of **LIV Golf**, despite abandoning an earlier rescue plan after the Saudi-backed golf league filed for bankruptcy in September. BC is considering acquiring a $50 million bankruptcy loan from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, potentially giving it greater control over LIV’s restructuring. **However, reviving the league remains challenging.** Negotiations with golfers have stalled over financial demands, while established golf organisations remain resistant to allowing their players to participate. This is a good example of how private equity investors try to find opportunities in distressed businesses, potentially extracting value from their remaining assets even when the original business model has failed. --- ### **Monzo seeks £7.5bn valuation after takeover talks collapse** **Monzo** is exploring a fresh funding round that could value the UK digital bank at **£7.5 billion** after two potential investment deals failed to progress. Takeover discussions with Brazilian rival **Nubank**, which could have valued Monzo at up to £10 billion, broke down over price, while talks with private equity firms about acquiring a minority stake have stalled. Monzo is now considering approaching venture capital investors as it seeks funding to expand across Europe, having recently launched in Ireland and Spain. The bank serves more than 16 million customers and generated £1.7 billion in revenue in the year to March 2026. ****Enjoying this memo?** Join ZipLaw+ today to unlock: 🗞️ ****Daily Memo:** all the business + legal news you need to know. One daily email (just like this one!) 🎯 ****Weekly Interview Cheat-sheet:** The top five stories to discuss in interviews, why they matter to law firms and how to impress when a partner asks about them. ****Plus all ZipLaw+ benefits** including full access to the ZipTracker, TC Lab, 100+ successful application and AC insiders! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) --- ### **China blocks SoftBank’s $5.4bn robotics takeover** China has blocked Japanese investor **SoftBank’s planned $5.4 billion** **acquisition** of Swiss engineering group **ABB’s** robotics division, disrupting one of the technology industry’s major takeover deals. The business manufactures industrial robots used in factories, with China accounting for approximately 30% of its sales. Although Beijing has not publicly explained its decision, concerns surrounding sensitive technology and data have complicated the transaction. SoftBank and ABB are now exploring whether separating the Chinese operations into a differently owned business could allow the remaining acquisition to proceed. However, restructuring the deal could significantly reduce its value and introduce further complications. --- ### **Democrats prepare major AI crackdown** **Democrats** are preparing a wave of new **artificial intelligence legislation** after winning control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections. Their proposals include mandatory independent safety testing for powerful AI systems, clearer rules on when technology companies can be held responsible for harm caused by their products, and protections against rising electricity bills linked to expanding data centres. The plans mark a significant shift from the previous Republican-led Congress, which prioritised encouraging AI investment and development. However, passing tougher regulations could prove difficult with President Donald Trump remaining opposed to greater federal restrictions. --- ### **Gowling advises on £400m NHS property investment** **Gowling WLG** has advised pension investor Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) on expanding its healthcare property partnership with Primary Health Properties, increasing its investment target from £250 million to £400 million. The partnership, which invests in buildings used by NHS organisations and GP practices, has agreed to acquire nine additional properties worth approximately £67 million and could eventually grow to £800 million. Healthcare properties are attractive to long-term investors because they provide relatively predictable rental income, often with payments increasing alongside inflation. The expansion also supports the NHS’s ambition to deliver more healthcare services within local communities rather than hospitals. --- ### **Winston Taylor advises on sale of women’s healthcare business** **Winston Taylor** has advised the management team of Theramex, a London-based women’s healthcare company, on its proposed sale to private equity firm Cinven. The acquisition will see existing investors Carlyle and PAI Partners exit a business that provides treatments for menopause, fertility, contraception and osteoporosis across more than 80 countries. Cinven plans to expand Theramex internationally and secure rights to additional medicines, building on a business whose treatments have already reached more than six million women. ### DealSheet - Freshfields (Trainee Associate Programme 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dealsheet-freshfields-trainee-associate-programme-2028/ Last updated: 2026-11-05T19:11:20.000Z Want to impress in your **Freshfields Trainee Associate Programme Application?** This **DealSheet** includes: 💼 5 recent deals and cases Freshfields advised on 🧠 Clear summaries for each ⚖️ Who Freshfields advised, and the legal teams involved 💡 How to use these in your application **⏰ Deadline:** 13 November --- ### **🤖 Freshfields advises on Anthropic’s $75bn IPO** **In short:** Anthropic, the artificial intelligence company behind Claude, is preparing to list on the US Nasdaq exchange in what could become one of the largest IPOs in history. **📝 Details:** - **Anthropic** filed its IPO registration documents with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 26 October 2026, ahead of a planned Nasdaq listing under the ticker ANT. The company has not yet confirmed the number of shares it will sell or their price. - The IPO could raise approximately **$75 billion**, while reported valuation expectations have ranged from $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion. - The company has appointed RetailBook to **allow UK individual investors** to participate in the offering through a new regulatory regime that can remove the need for a separate UK prospectus in certain circumstances. **🤔 Why it matters:** - **The valuation versus profitability question.** Investors are being asked to value Anthropic at potentially more than $1 trillion, despite the company continuing to incur substantial costs. The question is whether Anthropic can eventually generate enough profit to justify its enormous valuation. For the banks underwriting the IPO, assessing how these risks are presented to investors is particularly important. - **Opening US IPOs to British investors.** Anthropic’s decision to use RetailBook illustrates how changes to UK financial regulation could make overseas listings more accessible to individual investors. The new Public Offer Platform regime allows companies to raise capital from UK investors through authorised platforms without necessarily preparing a separate UK prospectus. This could encourage more international businesses to include British investors in future fundraising. **Anthropic’s IPO will test investor confidence** in the economics of artificial intelligence. AI companies are attracting extraordinary valuations, but investors must decide whether the *potential* returns are worth the billions required to develop and operate the technology. **⚖️ Who is Freshfields advising?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### US Midterms: What do they mean for Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/us-midterms-what-do-they-mean-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-11-04T16:50:35.000Z In today’s **Interview Brief**, we’re breaking down the US midterm election results, what the Democrats’ win means for Trump’s presidency and how to discuss the implications in your next law firm application or interview. **We’re covering:** 🇺🇸 What happened in the US midterms? 📈 What’s the key market trend? 🏢 How does this impact businesses? ⚖️ How does this impact law firms? 🎤 What could a Partner ask you? --- **⏱️ In Short** Democrats have won control of both chambers of the US Congress following a major defeat for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. The result could reshape American trade, energy and technology policy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-6-1.png) **📝 Here's all you need to know:** - **What are the midterms?** US elections held halfway through a president’s four-year term. Voters elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and around one-third of the Senate. - **What happened?** Democrats won control of both the House and Senate, ending Republican control of Congress following widespread voter frustration over living costs, tariffs and the economy. - **Why does this matter?** Trump remains president, but Democrats can now block major legislation, influence government spending and investigate his administration. This makes it harder for him to deliver his economic agenda. 💡 Divided government is when the president and Congress are controlled by different political parties. Trump remains president, but Democrats now control both chambers of Congress. This makes it harder for him to pass new laws, particularly on taxes and government spending, although he retains his veto and certain executive powers. **📊 The Key Trend** Businesses value stability when planning investments. With Democrats controlling Congress, major changes to taxes and spending may become less likely, potentially reassuring investors. If government borrowing falls, this could also help lower borrowing costs for businesses. However, political disagreements could delay decisions or trigger government shutdowns. Trump also retains significant powers over trade and foreign policy, meaning uncertainty remains. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image-9.png) **💸 What does this mean for Businesses?** - **Technology companies: Greater scrutiny of the AI boom.** Democratic control of Congress could increase investigations into AI competition, data privacy and infrastructure development. Data-centre operators also face growing concerns about electricity prices and water consumption, particularly following Democratic gubernatorial victories in Texas and Georgia. Restrictions could delay projects and increase costs, although comprehensive federal AI legislation remains difficult to pass. - **Investors and financial markets: Politics versus profitability.** Divided government could constrain spending and ease pressure on Treasury yields, potentially reducing financing costs for businesses. However, US fiscal deficits remain substantial, and government funding disputes could create volatility. For investors, company earnings, valuations and interest rates may ultimately matter more than the election result itself. - **Energy and international businesses: Competing priorities.** Renewable energy companies could benefit from greater congressional support for clean technology, while traditional oil and gas producers may face increased scrutiny. Meanwhile, businesses exposed to Trump’s tariffs must manage continuing trade uncertainty. Democrats may challenge protectionist policies, but changes to existing tariffs are far from guaranteed, particularly where restrictions on China attract bipartisan support. **⚖️ How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gowling, Pinsent Masons and CMS advise on £1.65bn Pension deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gowling-pinsent-masons-and-cms-advise-on-1-65bn-pension-deal/ Last updated: 2026-11-03T23:55:12.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Pinsent Masons advises on Poundland Administration URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/pinsent-masons-advises-on-poundland-administration/ Last updated: 2026-11-03T17:30:25.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### CMS - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cms-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-11-03T17:30:00.000Z Do you want to stand out in your CMS application? **In this Insider:** A model TC application annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what CMS's graduate recruitment is looking for and how to impress them. - *What attracts you to CMS, and what qualities, skills or experiences would you bring to the firm?* - *Tell us about something happening in the business, legal or wider world that interests you. Why might it matter to CMS or its clients?* - *Tell us about a time when you took initiative to solve a problem or improve a situation.* ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fieldfisher - Playbook (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fieldfisher-playbook-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-11-03T15:14:00.000Z This Fieldfisher Playbook has all the research you need to impress in your application and AC. **This Playbook (1,457 words) covers:** 🇪🇺 Fieldfisher’s European land grab ⚖️ Why is Litigation key 💼 Must-Know focus areas 🌱 How Real Estate is growing Plus, how to use and talk about these insights. --- ### European expansion and sector strategy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/11/image.png) **What’s going on?** **European expansion:** Fieldfisher has gone on the offensive in Europe. In 2025 it opened two offices in Poland (Warsaw and Kraków) with a 32-lawyer team, and in July 2025 it launched offices in Lisbon and Porto by absorbing a 68-lawyer team. **Sector focus:** The Portuguese move explicitly targets “tech, finance and energy” – three of Fieldfisher’s core sector strengths – and follows recent growth elsewhere (e.g. a new deputy managing partner in Italy focused on energy and public law). **Why does this matter?** This aggressive expansion shows that Fieldfisher is executing a continental strategy aimed at becoming a leading EU firm. - **Buying scale in key markets:** The firm is buying scale in key markets and sectors. By importing whole teams (from Poland and Portugal) the firm instantly gains market share and client relationships, while aligning with local growth industries like renewables and fintech. - **Targeting high-growth sectors:** The focus on tech, finance and energy in those launches suggests Fieldfisher is chasing the same high-growth sectors that drive the modern economy. **⭐ How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Baker McKenzie - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/baker-mckenzie-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-11-01T08:59:59.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Baker McKenzie Vacation Scheme** application. **This report contains 👇** - A successful **Baker McKenzie Vacation Scheme** application with answers to the questions below - Expert feedback on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Choose a business issue that interests you. What do you believe organisations are getting wrong in their response to the issue? Explain your view, how it could affect organisations commercially, and how Baker McKenzie could help clients respond. - Many people are attracted to commercial law for different reasons. What steps have you taken to test whether the reality of the profession aligns with your expectations? - Describe a significant setback or challenge you have faced. Explain how you responded, what you learned from the experience, and how you have applied those lessons in subsequent situations. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Freshfields advises on Spanish Transport Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-advises-on-spanish-transport-deal/ Last updated: 2026-10-29T13:05:14.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### CMS and Eversheds Sutherland Advise on PIC's £85m Interface Pension Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cms-and-eversheds-sutherland-advise-on-pics-85m-interface-pension-deal/ Last updated: 2026-10-29T12:50:11.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Osborne Clarke and Clifford Chance Advise on £104m Future Biogas Stake Sale URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/osborne-clarke-and-clifford-chance-advise-on-104m-future-biogas-stake-sale/ Last updated: 2026-10-29T12:34:43.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham & Watkins leads on Valencia CF's €1.25bn Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-watkins-leads-on-valencia-cfs-eur1-25bn-deal/ Last updated: 2026-10-29T12:25:00.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham & Wakins advises on Guidewire's $2.1bn Hyperexponential Acquisition URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-wakins-advises-on-guidewires-2-1bn-hyperexponential-acquisition/ Last updated: 2026-10-29T12:19:31.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HFW advises on $47m Shipwreck Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hfw-advises-on-47m-shipwreck-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-10-29T11:15:02.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How does Anthropic's $1.5tn IPO impact Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-does-anthropics-1-5tn-ipo-impact-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-10-29T13:06:24.000Z Hi ZipLawyer! 👋 In today's **Interview Brief**, we're breaking down Anthropic's IPO and how to discuss it in application or interview. **We're covering:** 💰 Why is Anthropic going public? 📈 What's the key market trend? 🏢 How does this impact businesses? ⚖️ How does this impact law firms? 🎤 What could a Partner ask you? Let's get into it 👇 --- **⏱️ In Short** **Anthropic**, the company behind Claude, has filed for a potentially record-breaking IPO after generating extraordinary revenue growth and its first quarterly operating profit. However, slowing growth, fierce competition and enormous computing costs raise questions about whether it can justify a $1.5tn valuation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-53.png) 💡 An initial public offering (****IPO**) is when a private company offers shares to public investors for the first time, usually listing on a stock exchange. It allows businesses to raise capital for expansion and existing shareholders to realise some of their investment, but brings greater disclosure requirements, regulatory scrutiny and pressure to deliver financial returns. **📝 What's going on?** - Anthropic published its IPO prospectus on 26 October 2026, preparing for a Nasdaq listing that investors expect could value the AI developer at **$1.5tn–$1.75tn**. - **Revenue reached $16.3bn** in the first half of 2026, roughly 14 times the $1.2bn recorded a year earlier, reflecting surging demand for its AI products. - Anthropic reported an **$80.7bn net loss**. - The company faces enormous infrastructure costs having committed around $800bn over the next decade to support AI expansion. - Anthropic's proposed ownership structure would give its **seven founders 50.1%** of general voting power, while its Long-Term Benefit Trust would have the right to appoint most directors. **📊 What's the Trend?** For years, software companies have attracted investors because they can sell additional subscriptions without proportionately increasing their costs. **AI is challenging that model.** Every interaction with an AI system requires computing power, and the more *advanced* the AI sytstem, the more *expensive* the infrastructure. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-52.png) Anthropic has reduced its computing expenses from 251% of revenue in early 2025 to 48% in the second quarter of 2026\. But, its decision to procure chips and dedicated infrastructure could require substantial upfront spending. - **This shows us there's a tension across the AI industry:** the most successful developers may need to spend extraordinary amounts just to hold on to their competitive advantage. So the question is no longer whether customers want AI, but whether providers can generate sufficient cash to fund its development.ß **💸 What does this mean for Businesses?** - **Anthropic: Growth versus financial flexibility.** Investing directly in computing infrastructure could reduce dependence on expensive cloud providers and improve long-term margins. However, equipment leases and fixed commitments create financial obligations that remain even if demand disappoints. Anthropic must balance securing enough capacity to compete with preserving cash and avoiding costly overinvestment. - **Cloud providers: Partners and competitors.** Amazon, Microsoft and Google provide infrastructure and distribution channels for Anthropic, with cloud marketplaces accounting for 48% of its first-half revenue. These relationships generate significant commercial opportunities, but also create dependencies. As cloud providers develop competing AI products, Anthropic faces the challenge of relying on businesses that increasingly compete with it. - **Investors: Valuation versus future returns.** A potential $1.5tn valuation reflects expectations of substantial future earnings, not simply current profitability. Investors must consider whether revenue growth can offset rising infrastructure costs and competitive pressures. Anthropic's first profitable operating quarter is encouraging, but sustained free cash flow, rather than headline revenue growth, will ultimately determine whether the investment delivers attractive returns. **⚖️ How does this Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kirkland & Ellis - Application Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kirkland-ellis-application-insider-training-contract-2028/ Last updated: 2026-10-28T14:11:00.000Z ⏰ **Kirkland & Ellis TC deadline is 13 December 2026!** **In this Insider:** A successful application, annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what Kirkland is looking for, how to approach each question and where candidates risk losing marks. **Questions covered 👇** - What attracts you to a career as a trainee solicitor in a transactional law firm? - Tell us about an achievement in an area of your life you are particularly proud of. ### Successful Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Winston Taylor advises on Disney streaming claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/winston-taylor-advises-on-disney-streaming-claim/ Last updated: 2026-10-26T12:34:32.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bird & Bird - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bird-bird-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-26T11:37:09.000Z ⏰ **Bird & Bird Vac Scheme** deadline is 11 Decemberand it’s ***Rolling*!** So now is the best time to apply! **In this Insider:** One strong application. Annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what graduate recruitment is looking for, and where most candidates lose points. **Questions covered 👇** - Tell us about an experience that sparked your interest in one sector Bird & Bird specialises in. This could be related to your studies, work experience, extracurricular activities, personal interests, or a significant event. What is the impact of this experience on your knowledge of the sector, interest in Bird & Bird, and understanding of the role of a trainee solicitor? - At Bird & Bird, our commitment to innovation includes recognising the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in professional and academic environments. As part of this, we are interested in understanding how candidates engage with AI during the application process, and we value transparency in how these tools are used. If you used any AI tools to help you complete this application form, please briefly explain: which tools you used; what parts of your preparation they supported (for example drafting answers, reviewing wording); and how you used them and to what extent. Your response will not negatively impact your application. ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Luxury Brands are in Trouble URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/luxury-brands-are-in-trouble/ Last updated: 2026-10-26T10:25:07.000Z 👋 **Happy Monday, ZipLawyer!** Did you know the London Stock Exchange started in a coffee shop? ☕ Back in 1698, a broker named John Castaing began publishing share, currency and commodity prices at Jonathan’s Coffee House in London. It helped lay the foundations for one of the world's biggest financial markets. --- **🐯 NEWS BRIEFING** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-50.png) 🇧🇷 **Brazil’s election goes into extra time:** Brazil's Supreme Court authorised a two-hour extension at some polling stations during a fiercely contested presidential runoff between incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Complaints about public transport and bad weather prompted calls for extra voting time. With counting under way, the stakes extend beyond politics: the winner could reshape public spending, economic policy and foreign investment in Latin America's largest economy. 🇻🇪 **Venezuela’s political comeback tour:** Opposition leader María Corina Machado has returned home after almost ten months in exile, setting up a potential showdown with interim president Delcy Rodríguez. Rodríguez has governed since US forces removed Nicolás Maduro in January and retains Donald Trump's backing. Machado wants democratic elections, but no date has been set. With international energy companies pursuing investments in Venezuela, the political struggle could determine who controls the country's oil wealth and future economic direction. 🛰️ **Starlink's off switch causes a diplomatic headache:** Ukraine says its Starlink and Starshield satellite connections are working normally again after more than a week of restrictions disrupted drone operations and air defences. Elon Musk acknowledged that SpaceX had restricted civilian Starlink over alleged breaches of its service terms, which Ukraine disputes. The episode exposes an uncomfortable reality: when governments depend on private technology for critical military infrastructure, corporate decisions can have consequences far beyond the boardroom. 🇧🇬 **Bulgaria heads for round two:** Bulgaria's presidential election is heading to a 1 November runoff between incumbent Iliana Yotova and pro-Western challenger Andrey Gyurov. The contest is unfolding amid rising energy costs and drone attacks on Black Sea shipping. Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, the result could influence Bulgaria's approach to Russia, Ukraine and European security. --- **👀 To discuss in interviews** ### Why are Luxury Brands struggling? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-49.png) **In short** Europe’s biggest luxury groups have lost a staggering €251bn in stock market value this year as Chinese consumers cut spending and US demand begins to weaken. Even industry heavyweights like LVMH and Hermès are feeling the squeeze, forcing luxury brands to rethink how they protect profits without sacrificing exclusivity. **What’s going on?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-48.png) - **Luxury's €251bn wipeout.** Europe's six largest listed luxury groups have collectively lost €251bn in market value this year, with LVMH and Hermès accounting for almost €225bn. Falling valuations reflect investors' concerns about future growth and put pressure on management to protect profitability rather than simply chase sales. - **China's wealthy shoppers are pulling back.** Chinese consumers, who powered luxury's growth for years, are spending less as falling property values and stock market losses dent confidence. LVMH reported a mid-teens percentage decline in fashion and leather goods sales to Chinese customers globally, while Kering suffered a 15–20% fall. The problem extends beyond Chinese stores because these customers also shop internationally. - **Not all luxury customers are equal.** Hermès' leather goods sales grew 10.8%, even as its ready-to-wear and accessories division declined 2%. The contrast suggests ultra-exclusive products are holding up better than categories exposed to more aspirational shoppers. Brands now face a delicate balancing act: attracting customers without discounting so heavily that they undermine their exclusivity. - **Cost-cutting could become the industry's next priority.** With US luxury spending also weakening, brands cannot rely on another major market to offset China's slowdown. Companies may reconsider store networks, staffing and expansion plans to protect profit margins. However, closing boutiques and cutting investment can generate immediate savings at the expense of future growth and customer experience. ### How does this impact law firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-10-23T14:04:59.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Reed Smith Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Reed Smith. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May, Jones Day face off in Oil Trading claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-jones-day-face-off-in-oil-trading-claim/ Last updated: 2026-10-22T14:19:32.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Linklaters - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/linklaters-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-22T14:00:03.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Linklaters Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Linklaters. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May - Playbook (Training Contract 2029) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-playbook-training-contract-2029/ Last updated: 2026-10-22T10:24:27.000Z Do you want a training contract at Slaughter and May? Here's the research you need to impress! **This Playbook (1,955 words) covers:** 💰 Can Slaughters keep its M&A crown? 🔴 Slaughters' biggest threat 🧠 Unique Selling Points 🤖 Slaughters' AI Strategy Plus, how to use these insights to stand out in your TC application and interview! **⏰ Deadline:** 13 November --- ## 💰 Can Slaughters keep its M&A Crown? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/Graphics--10--1.png) ### What's going on? Slaughter and May dominates UK corporate advisory work, but the market that made it successful is *changing*. - **£111.1m in potential fees:** In September 2026, Slaughters was estimated to be in line for up to £111.1m in fees from five of the UK's ten largest announced takeovers, roughly double its nearest competitor. - **A FTSE powerhouse:** The firm advises 31 FTSE 100 companies and 49 FTSE 250 companies, giving it direct relationships with some of Britain's most influential boardrooms. - **Expanding into private capital:** Its Global Sponsors Group is developing relationships with private equity firms, private credit investors and infrastructure funds, including work for Arrow Global on a major European loan portfolio joint venture. ### Why does this matter? Slaughters' greatest competitive advantage is the **long-term relationships** it has built with Britain's largest companies. Advising a FTSE 100 business can generate years of profitable work, from governance and financing to transformative acquisitions. **❗But there's a catch:** as private equity investors and overseas buyers acquire more UK-listed companies, Slaughters risks losing some of the businesses that have traditionally supported its dominance. While these takeovers generate substantial fees in the short term, they could reduce the firm's pool of listed-company clients over time. - **Pivot time:** This helps explain its growing focus on private capital, where relationships with investment funds can generate repeat instructions across acquisitions, financing and eventual exits. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-46.png) BUT, moving further into private equity also creates a **challenge** for Slaughters' traditional business model. Unlike some **US rivals**, Slaughters operates a more collaborative lockstep partnership, where partner remuneration is largely linked to seniority rather than individual revenue generation. This encourages teamwork and the sharing of client relationships, but makes it harder to compete with US firms offering enormous packages to attract highly profitable partners. ### How to use this in your application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mishcon de Reya, HSF advise on Uber £340m Court Win URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mishcon-de-reya-hsf-advise-on-uber-340m-court-win/ Last updated: 2026-10-21T16:00:14.000Z Uber wins big in this taxi case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Linklaters - Playbook (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/linklaters-playbook-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-22T09:23:12.000Z **Do you want a TC at Linklaters?** Here’s the research you need to impress! **This Playbook (2,514 words) covers:** 🇺🇸 US expansion explained ⚖️ Push into Disputes and Arbitration 🤖 Must-Know AI Strategy 🌍 Mega-deals showcasing its global reach 🏦 Two hidden departments on the rise Plus how to use these insights to stand out in applications and interviews! --- ### **Bullish on the US** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/Graphics--11-.png) **What’s going on?** Linklaters has made a major push into the US legal market, investing heavily in senior talent and expanding its corporate, finance and disputes capabilities. - **June 2025:** Linklaters appointed veteran M&A partner George Casey, formerly of Shearman & Sterling, as its first Chairman of the Americas. - **US profits surge:** Profits in the US increased by 57% in FY25, significantly outperforming other regions. - **Strategic recruitment:** The firm has recruited dozens of US-based partners, including New York litigation teams and senior finance lawyers from A&O Shearman. - **Major M&A mandates:** In 2024, Linklaters’ corporate team advised on more than $211 billion of transactions, including Dow and Macquarie’s $6 billion Diamond Infrastructure partnership and Rio Tinto’s $6.7 billion lithium acquisition. **Why does this matter?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-43.png) - **Competing for premium work:** By hiring established partners with valuable client relationships, Linklaters is positioning itself to compete with leading US firms and Magic Circle rivals for major corporate transactions, sponsor-backed deals and complex financing mandates. - **Building a full-service offering:** Rather than focusing on a narrow selection of practice areas, the firm is expanding its M&A, finance and disputes capabilities to support clients throughout the deal lifecycle. - **Leveraging its international network:** Linklaters’ competitive advantage lies in combining its growing US capabilities with established teams across Europe and Asia. This allows it to offer multinational clients coordinated advice across different jurisdictions. - **Early signs of commercial success:** The 57% increase in US profits suggests its investment in talent and client relationships is delivering financial returns, although profitability alone does not establish the success of every element of its strategy. **How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 🍫 Why is Chocolate so expensive? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-is-chocolate-so-expensive/ Last updated: 2026-10-19T06:00:00.000Z 👋 **Happy Monday, ZipLawyer!** Did you know economists use McDonald's Big Macs to measure the value of currencies? 🍔 In 1986, *The Economist* created the Big Mac Index, which compares the price of the same burger across countries to see whether currencies are overvalued or undervalued. It's become a surprisingly useful way to understand exchange rates. --- **🐯 NEWS BRIEFING** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-38.png) 🇫🇷 **France is losing its cool:** France's cost-of-living crisis has spilled onto the streets — and into flames. Around 550,000 people joined nationwide protests on Saturday, with more than 1,800 arrests after clashes, looting and arson. In Limoges, a fire gutted the historic town hall, collapsing its roof and spire. Student frustration over education standards has merged with anger over rising living costs, creating another political headache for President Emmanuel Macron ahead of France's 2027 presidential election. 🇺🇦 **Ukraine's intelligence lifeline is back on:** President Volodymyr Zelensky says America has resumed sharing crucial military intelligence following a temporary pause, although Washington denies cutting off support. The intelligence helps Ukraine detect incoming Russian missiles, making it key to keeping cities safe. Zelensky is also pursuing fresh peace talks with US officials, even as tensions between Kyiv and Washington grow. 🛡️ **Egypt offers Saudi Arabia backup:** Egypt has offered to help defend Saudi Arabia as attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensify. The militants have targeted Riyadh's international airport and Saudi energy facilities, prompting President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to pledge whatever support is necessary if requested. The potential involvement of another major regional military power raises the stakes considerably, particularly for investors watching Middle Eastern oil supplies and the risk of a wider conflict. 🗳️ **Trump backs Bibi, but will voters?** Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the country's October 27 election, praising his leadership during the war with Iran. The endorsement comes after months of disagreements between the two allies over regional strategy. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition is currently projected to fall short of the 61 parliamentary seats needed for a majority. --- **👀 To discuss in interviews** ### The Global Chocolate Crunch ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-37.png) **In short** Wild swings in cocoa prices are putting chocolate manufacturers around the world under pressure, from Britain's Cadbury to Switzerland's Lindt and America's Hershey. With supply disruptions threatening future harvests, businesses face difficult decisions over pricing, ingredients and how to protect their profits. **What's going on?** - **Cocoa prices have been on a rollercoaster.** Bad weather and crop diseases in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, which produce 60% of the world's cocoa, pushed prices to $12,565 per tonne in December 2024\. Prices later collapsed before rebounding to around $5,645 in October 2026. - **Chocolate is getting more expensive.** US Halloween chocolate prices have reportedly risen 15.5% year-on-year. British shoppers have also faced higher prices and smaller products, although UK chocolate prices fell 3% in early October following earlier increases. - **Manufacturers are changing strategy.** Lindt raised prices by 11.8% in the first half of 2026, while sales volume and mix fell 7.5%. Meanwhile, Hershey has experimented with cheaper ingredients and expanded into salty snacks to reduce its reliance on chocolate. - **Supply concerns are returning.** Ghana expects cocoa production to fall 13% in 2026-27, while Côte d'Ivoire also faces weaker harvest forecasts. Meanwhile, stronger demand in Europe and Asia could put further pressure on prices. ![ZipLaw cocoa price chart](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-d95d6d0b-9bb0-4480-b2d4-23eb4e6fc9d6.png) **Why does this matter?** - **Higher prices don't always mean higher profits.** Manufacturers must choose between passing rising costs onto customers or accepting lower profit margins. Raise prices too much, and shoppers may switch to cheaper alternatives, as Lindt's falling sales volumes illustrate. - **Supermarkets could gain bargaining power.** Retailers like Tesco and Walmart can promote cheaper own-label chocolate and pressure suppliers to keep prices competitive. That could force manufacturers, particularly smaller brands, to absorb more of their rising costs. - **Planning ahead is getting harder.** Manufacturers often buy cocoa months in advance, meaning falling commodity prices don't immediately translate into lower costs. Meanwhile, reduced earnings for cocoa farmers could weaken future harvests, creating further supply uncertainty. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Burges Salmon - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/burges-salmon-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-18T17:06:06.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Burges Salmon** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Burges Salmon Vac Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what made it stand out **Question covered** - Can you share a specific instance during your research, a conversation, or an event that convinced you that Burges Salmon was the right firm for you? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Will AI run out of money? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/will-ai-run-out-of-money/ Last updated: 2026-10-18T17:27:44.000Z 👋 **Happy Saturday, ZipLawyer!** Next week, the Orionid meteor shower will light up the night sky. It happens every October when Earth passes through dust left behind by Halley’s Comet. The tiny particles travel at an incredible 66 kilometres per second, burning up as they enter our atmosphere and creating shooting stars. Halley’s Comet won’t return until 2061. --- **THIS WEEK 🐯** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-32.png) 💔 **Bumble's getting a new match:** Dating app Bumble has agreed to a $1.3bn takeover by Ithaca Holdings, potentially ending its stint on the stock market. Shareholders are being offered $6.05 per share, a 138% premium to the price before takeover speculation emerged. Yet the deal is a far cry from Bumble's roughly $14bn valuation when it floated in 2021\. With younger users losing interest in dating apps, even finding investors is becoming a dating problem. 🇨🇳 **China's export machine has no off switch:** Chinese exports surged 36% in September, pushing the country's trade surplus to a whopping $938bn for the first nine months of 2026\. That's on track to smash last year's $1.2tn record. The boom is fuelling tensions with trading partners, particularly Europe, which has secured an agreement to curb Chinese hybrid car imports. China keeps selling; everyone else is wondering how to compete. 🤖 **AI's chipmakers are printing money (for now):** Taiwan's TSMC reported a staggering 69% jump in quarterly profit to $23.6bn, while Dutch chip-equipment giant ASML says customers are looking at capacity as far ahead as 2030\. But investors aren't celebrating. South Korea's KOSPI plunged 7.6% amid an AI-driven tech sell-off, triggering a temporary trading halt. The companies supplying the AI gold rush are thriving, but investors are increasingly questioning whether the spending frenzy can last. 💸 **Inflation didn't get the memo:** America's annual inflation rate climbed to 3.7% in September, up from 3.4% in August, as fuel prices surged. Europe is facing its own energy headache, with gas prices climbing amid the Iran conflict. That's bad news for households hoping for cheaper bills and borrowers waiting for interest-rate cuts. Central banks are discovering that getting inflation under control is one thing; keeping it there is another. 🧊 **A very expensive defrost:** Hackers remotely turned up the temperature on supermarket refrigerators across France, reportedly reaching 50°C and ruining vast quantities of food. Hundreds of stores were affected, including Intermarché and Coopérative U. The suspected culprit? Vulnerable refrigeration-control software. A rather chilling reminder that cyberattacks can cause very physical damage. --- **👀 To discuss in interviews** ### **Will AI run out of Money?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-35.png) **In Short** Investors are becoming increasingly nervous about the billions being borrowed to finance the AI boom. The concern is shifting from how quickly AI can grow to whether companies can generate enough cash to repay the debt funding that growth. **What's going on?** AI companies are borrowing billions to build data centres, but investors are increasingly questioning whether they'll make enough money to repay their debts. - **CoreWeave is feeling the pressure.** The cost of protecting $1m of the AI company's debt against default has reportedly jumped from under $40,000 to around $100,000 in a year. Investors are also demanding returns of over 15% on some of its debt, reflecting growing concerns about repayment. - **Oracle is facing similar concerns.** The technology giant reportedly has around $160bn in debt, while regulatory delays to its planned New Mexico data centre have raised questions about whether the project will open on schedule in 2028. - **Lenders are becoming more cautious.** Investors are demanding higher returns before lending to data centre developers, making it increasingly expensive for AI companies to fund their expansion plans. **Why should I care?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-36.png) 💡 **What is a CDS?** A credit default swap is like insurance against a company failing to repay its debt. The higher the price, the more worried investors are about a potential default. - **The AI boom has a debt problem.** Companies are borrowing heavily to build data centres and buy expensive chips, but the returns may take years to arrive. If AI revenues disappoint, companies could struggle to repay their loans. Rising borrowing costs could also force them to delay projects, giving cash-rich giants like Microsoft and Google an advantage. - **Lenders are gaining the upper hand.** As borrowing becomes riskier, investors can demand higher interest rates, more security and tighter restrictions on how companies spend their money. This gives lenders greater protection while limiting companies' freedom to expand. The AI race is no longer just about who has the best technology, but who can afford to keep building it. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mishcon de Reya lead on Waterstones dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mishcon-de-reya-lead-on-waterstones-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-10-16T09:04:43.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Winston Taylor advises on Black Sheep Coffee Trade Mark claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/winston-taylor-advises-on-black-sheep-coffee-trade-mark-claim/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T14:11:23.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Withers - Playbook (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/withers-playbook-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T14:02:28.000Z Do you want a **TC** at **Withers**? Here's the research you need to impress! **This Playbook covers:** 🇯🇵 Stealth growth in Tokyo 🌍 Must-Know global strategy ⚡ Chasing the clean energy boom 🇸🇬 Why Singapore is key ⚠️ Challenges and opportunities Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏰ **Deadline:** 8 January --- ## Planting a Disputes Flag in Tokyo ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-24.png) **What's going on?** Withers has opened a disputes practice in Japan: - **October 2026:** Withers launched an arbitration and litigation practice in Tokyo by hiring partner Hiroko Nihei. - Nihei joins from Hillford Law, a boutique she co-founded after O'Melveny & Myers closed its Tokyo office. She brings deep experience in international arbitration, cross-border IP disputes and commercial litigation. - **What the firm said:** Withers' head of dispute resolution, Peter Wood, pointed to Nihei's leadership and experience as a solid foundation for expanding the Tokyo team. **What's the signal?** - **Filling a gap.** By recruiting an experienced Japanese disputes lawyer, Withers is using the space left by larger firms, such as O'Melveny's exit, to win a share of the Japanese market. - **Tokyo, not Hong Kong.** Basing Nihei in Tokyo shows a targeted push into Japan's commercial disputes scene. It also hints at new Japan-related work coming through the firm's global platform. **How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells Cadwalader - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-cadwalader-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T10:19:44.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Hogan Lovells Cadwalader** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Travers Smith - Playbook (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/travers-smith-playbook-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T12:25:27.000Z Do you want a **TC at Travers Smith**? Here’s the research you need to impress! This Playbook covers: ⚖️ Travers push for Arbitration 👔 A huge change in Employment work 🏦 A secret private capital move 🇪🇺 The Brussels bet ⚠️ Key challenges and opportunities Plus how to use this information to stand out in interviews! ⏰ **Deadline**: 16 October (Winter TC) --- ### **Travers wants to grow its Arbitration Practice** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-18-1.png) **What’s going on?** In **September 2026**, Travers announced the hire of **Andy Moody**, Baker McKenzie’s global chair of international arbitration and London disputes head *(and it's a big deal)*. His experience spans commercial arbitration and investor claims against states, with particular strengths in energy, infrastructure, post-acquisition disputes and joint ventures. 💡 **Arbitration** is a process in which appointed decision-makers resolve a dispute outside the ordinary courts. **What’s the signal?** Most people will see this and think: “*So Travers wants more disputes work*.” True, but there’s a much better point you can make. Moody **specialises** in **post-acquisition and joint venture disputes**. Those fights only exist because a deal happened first: a buyer discovers hidden liabilities, partners clash over control, or payments tied to future performance never arrive. - 🤝 Travers is built on deals, so many of tomorrow’s disputes start in work it already does today. Moody lets Travers stay with a deal for its whole life, not just until signing. - 🔋 His energy and infrastructure experience provides value over a longer timeline. These projects can bind investors together for decades while politics, regulation and economics shift around them. - ⚖️ A **dispute is often a test of decisions made at the drafting stage.** Exit rights, payment mechanics and dispute resolution clauses all get tested years later. With Moody in-house, Travers can feed what it learns from those fights back into how it drafts deals. So disputes at Travers can win big standalone mandates and make the deal work stronger at the same time. **How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Cleary Gottlieb - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cleary-gottlieb-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-12T13:23:58.000Z ⏰ **Cleary’s Winter Vac Scheme** deadline is 30 Octoberand it’s ***Rolling*!** **In this Insider:** A CV that secured a spot on the Vac Scheme. Annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what Cleary's graduate recruitment is looking for and how to impress them. ### Successful CV with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Akin - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/akin-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T11:29:59.000Z ⏰ **Akin's Spring Vac Scheme** deadline is 13 Decemberand it’s ***Rolling*!** So now is the best time to apply! **In this Insider:** One strong application. Annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what Akin graduate recruitment is looking for, and where most candidates fall flat. **Questions covered 👇** - Describe a particularly challenging experience you have faced and how you dealt with it. - What motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor? Why do you want to start your legal career at Akin? - What are the most important rewards you expect in your career? - Identify a current commercial issue which has recently attracted your attention. Why do you consider it to be significant? Who are the key stakeholders in this situation and what are the implications for those concerned? - Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application. ### Successful Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 🛢️ Oil’s well URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/oils-well/ Last updated: 2026-10-10T09:14:00.000Z **👋 Happy Saturday, ZipLawyer!** Four astronauts splashed down in the Pacific off Los Angeles on Thursday after 237 days on the International Space Station. In that time they orbited Earth more than 3,792 times and travelled over 100 million miles. That’s roughly 200 round trips to the Moon. --- **NEWS ROUNDUP** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/oil_g7.gif) 🛢️ **Oil’s well that ends well?** G7 countries have agreed to release 100m barrels of oil and diesel from emergency reserves over four months to cool soaring energy prices. The move follows pressure from Donald Trump, who threatened to restrict US diesel exports unless Europe dipped into its reserves. With American midterm elections approaching, cheaper fuel has become something of a political emergency too. 🤖 **AI chips are printing money:** Samsung expects its third-quarter operating profit to jump a staggering 782% to $80bn, thanks to insatiable demand for the memory chips powering AI data centres. Even with profits approaching nine times last year’s level, investors are questioning how long the boom can last. Apparently, making $80bn in three months isn’t enough to silence Wall Street’s nerves. 💊 **Boots gets a new prescription:** Britain’s 177-year-old pharmacy chain is changing hands again after Canada’s billionaire Weston family agreed a £6.7bn takeover. The deal comes barely a year after private equity firm Sycamore Partners acquired Boots as part of its purchase of Walgreens Boots Alliance. For the new owners, the appeal is clear: a household name, more than 1,800 UK stores and a growing health and beauty business. Not bad for a company founded in 1849. **MORE NEWS TO KNOW** - 🌍 **The IMF sounds the alarm:** IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva has warned that soaring energy prices, mounting government debt and the AI spending boom are putting the global economy under strain. AI-related hardware now accounts for more than 10% of global goods trade, making the world’s economic fortunes increasingly dependent on the technology. - 🇮🇳 **India hits the brakes:** India’s central bank raised interest rates to 5.5%, its first increase since February 2023, as inflation refuses to settle down. Markets expect further hikes, which could make borrowing more expensive for businesses and consumers across one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. - 💰 **The $40bn shopping list:** SpaceX is reportedly seeking $40bn in loans and bonds to buy Nvidia AI chips. Meanwhile, Nvidia has partnered with Wall Street heavyweights, including Apollo, on plans to mobilise more than $500bn for AI infrastructure. Its market value has climbed past $5.7tn. The AI boom isn’t just creating new technology; it’s creating an enormous business for the financiers funding it. --- ### **Gulf IPOs are Drying Up. Where is the Legal Work Going?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-17.png) **In short** The Gulf’s once-booming market for initial public offerings (**IPOs**), where companies sell shares to the public for the first time, has slowed sharply in 2026. **What’s going on?** - **The IPO boom has hit the brakes.** Saudi Arabia’s main stock market recorded just two IPOs in the first eight months of 2026, compared with 13 across 2025 and 14 in 2024\. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have also struggled to attract new listings, signalling a wider regional slowdown. - **Companies and investors cannot agree on prices.** Geopolitical tensions have weakened confidence, but valuations are another sticking point. Business owners want to sell shares at attractive prices, while investors are demanding discounts to reflect greater risk. When expectations do not meet, companies often postpone their listings. - **Businesses are exploring other funding routes.** Rather than selling shares publicly, companies can borrow through bonds, raise money from private investors or refinance existing debt. Each option serves a different purpose. Borrowing can fund expansion, for example, but does not allow an existing shareholder to cash out. **Why should I care?** - **Access to capital is becoming more expensive.** Companies still need funding even when stock markets are unattractive. Borrowing provides an alternative, but interest payments create ongoing costs and repayment obligations. A business that previously planned to raise money by selling shares may therefore need to reconsider its expansion plans or accept tighter financial constraints. - **Investors are gaining bargaining power.** Companies seeking private investment may have to accept lower valuations or surrender greater control to secure funding. For example, an investor might demand a board seat or veto rights over major business decisions. That brings in capital today, but could restrict management’s freedom tomorrow. - **Private deals cannot replace every missing IPO.** Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity has also weakened. EY recorded 390 Middle East and North Africa deals worth $46.7 billion in the first half of 2026, down from 434 deals worth $58.8 billion a year earlier. Although activity improved towards June, businesses and their advisers are competing for a more selective pool of transactions. #### How does this impact Law Firms? ****1\. Debt Capital Markets and Banking** As companies replace planned share offerings with borrowing, debt capital markets lawyers could see greater demand from businesses issuing bonds or sukuk, financing instruments structured to comply with Islamic principles. Lawyers would negotiate repayment obligations, investor protections and restrictions on future borrowing. For example, a Saudi business facing an upcoming bond repayment might seek to issue new debt to repay the old borrowing. Its lawyers would examine whether existing financing agreements permit this, negotiate the new bond terms and coordinate repayment of the outstanding debt. The commercial objective is to secure funding without disrupting operations, although higher borrowing costs could make refinancing harder. ****2\. Corporate and Private Equity** Companies postponing IPOs may instead sell minority stakes to private equity funds or strategic investors. Corporate lawyers would negotiate share purchase agreements and shareholders’ agreements, which establish ownership rights and how important decisions are made. For example, a founder seeking to sell 25% of a business might want fresh investment without losing control. Lawyers could negotiate which decisions require investor consent, how board seats are allocated and whether the investor can sell its shares in the future. These protections help both parties reach a workable bargain. However, demand depends on investors remaining willing to transact at valuations sellers will accept. ****3\. Equity Capital Markets** Although fewer IPOs mean fewer immediate listing mandates, proposed Saudi regulatory reforms could generate additional advisory work for companies, investment banks and prospective issuers. Under the proposals, underwriters would assume binding purchase obligations earlier in the IPO process, while issuers would face greater requirements to disclose financial forecasts. For example, lawyers advising an underwriting bank might negotiate an underwriting agreement specifying when its commitment begins and how responsibilities are allocated if investor demand falls short. Lawyers advising issuers would also assess the legal disclosures accompanying management’s financial projections. This work becomes particularly important if the reforms are adopted and companies revive postponed listings. ### ZipMemes ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-9.png) ### A&O Shearman - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-o-shearman-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-07T23:41:41.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **A&O Shearman Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress A&O Shearman. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Freshfields, Slaughter and May lead on £8.2bn takeover URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-slaughter-and-may-lead-on-8-2bn-takeover/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T13:57:04.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Freshfields - Playbook (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-playbook-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-13T11:59:27.000Z Do you want a **TC at Freshfields**? Here's the research you need to impress! **This Playbook covers:** 🇺🇸 Why the US is now Freshfields' centre of gravity 💰 Why Freshfields rewrote its partner pay 🇪🇺 How Europe is paying for the American bet 📈 What the 2026 partner promotions reveal 🤖 Freshfields' secret AI strategy ⚠️ Key challenges and opportunities Plus how to use this information to stand out in interviews! ⏰ **Deadline:** 30 October --- ## The US is Freshfields' focus ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-10-1.png) **What's going on?** Freshfields has spent five years building in the US, and the pace is picking up: - **February 2025:** Freshfields opened in Boston, hiring Latham & Watkins private capital M&A partner Matthew Goulding to lead the office. - **December 2025:** The firm's accounts showed US revenue up 21%, from £391m to £473m. The US now brings in 21% of global revenue, up from 11% five years earlier. - **June 2026:** Damien Zoubek, an M&A partner hired from Cravath in 2021, became US managing partner, succeeding Sarah Solum. - **September 2026:** Freshfields hired Daniel Stein from Weil as co-head of global investigations and Bethany Pfalzgraf from Cravath into M&A. **What's the signal?** Freshfields is ***obsessed*** with growing in the US market. Putting a lateral dealmaker from Cravath in charge of the American business tells you the London leadership has accepted that the US must be run the way US firms run. Plus Stein's hire matters because investigations and enforcement work keeps clients close through downturns, when deal flow dries up. **And there’s been a change in strategy too.** Both September hires came while Weil was losing partners to Cravath, Paul Weiss and Simpson Thacher. Freshfields now behaves like a US firm, picking off talent when a competitor wobbles. **How to use this in your interview** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HFW - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hfw-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-05T10:46:48.000Z ⏰ **HFW's Vac Scheme** deadline is **7 January** and it’s ***Rolling*!** So now is the best time to apply! **In this Insider:** One strong application. Annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what HFW graduate recruitment is looking for, and where most candidates fall flat. **Questions covered 👇** - *Please provide details of your main extracurricular interests and achievements. How have these helped you to develop the skills that you will need as a commercial solicitor?* - *Why do you want to pursue a career as a solicitor at an international law firm? What steps have you taken to research this as a career?* - *Why have you chosen to apply to HFW and how do you think the firm differs from its competitors?* - *Please identify an issue currently in the mainstream media and explain how this is likely to impact the clients that HFW represents and the type of work that the firm undertakes.* - *We recognise that Generative AI offers support to candidates and that it is an increasingly prevalent tool which candidates may wish to use. With this in mind, please briefly describe how, if at all, you have used Generative AI to assist with this application and how you believe it has added value.* ### Successful Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Withers - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/withers-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-02T16:42:08.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Withers Vacation Scheme 2027** application. This report contains 👇 - Model answers to **all Withers VS application questions** - **Expert feedback** on what Withers is looking for, why each answer works and how to strengthen your own responses **Questions covered** - *What do you think is the biggest difference between studying law and practising law, and why?* - *What is the most interesting thing you have learned about Withers, and why did it stand out to you?* - *What aspect of a Vacation Scheme at Withers are you most interested in experiencing first-hand, and why is it important to you personally?* - *Please give details of your current interests and activities, including the nature of your involvement.* - *What has been your most significant non-academic achievement to date?* - *You are given a billboard in the centre of London for 24 hours. What would you put on it and why?* **⏰ Deadline:** 8 January (Rolling) ### **Application with Feedback** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Clifford Chance, Bird & Bird lead on Manchester City £900M claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/clifford-chance-bird-bird-lead-on-manchester-city-900m-claim/ Last updated: 2026-10-14T13:54:57.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### DLA Piper - Playbook (Summer Internship 2027) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dla-piper-playbook-summer-internship-2027/ Last updated: 2026-10-01T11:31:12.000Z Do you want a spot on the **DLA Piper Summer Internship**? Here's the research you need to impress DLA! This Playbook covers: 💰 Why private capital is key to DLA's growth 📈 How DLA became a private-equity powerhouse 🌎 How London became a Latin America hub ⚡ DLA's role in powering the energy transition ⚠️ The challenges and opportunities facing the firm Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏰ **Deadline:** 23 October --- ### Private Capital Is Key to DLA's Growth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-7-1-1.png) #### What's going on? DLA has been pushing to grow its private capital team: - **July 2025:** DLA announced the hire of Chris Field, co-head of Dechert's private equity practice, to join in London in September 2025. - **March 2026:** DLA launched a Global Capital Solutions practice with three partners from Akin: Ranesh Ramanathan and Alex Cushman in New York, and Daniel Wayte in London. Days later it added four partners in London and Luxembourg. - **June 2026:** Andrew Bechtel joined the capital solutions practice in London, according to a DLA Piper press release announcing his arrival. - **July 2026:** Jacob Durkin joined capital solutions in London from Simpson Thacher. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/10/image-8-1.png) #### What's the signal? Capital solutions is a hot practice area right now. - **🤔 What is it?** It means helping companies raise money in ways that sit between a bank loan and selling shares: loans from investment funds instead of banks (private credit), deals that mix debt and equity, and rescue funding. - **📈 Why is it growing?** Because stricter rules since 2008 made risky lending expensive for banks, so funds backed by pension funds and insurers have stepped in, offering faster and more flexible deals. Each one is tailored, which means more legal work and higher fees. Rivals are making the same moves in London: Mayer Brown launched a London capital solutions team led by Dominic Griffiths and Michael Fiddy on 12 May 2026. **Quality + Quantity.** DLA already leads on deal volume, having been Mergermarket's top M&A adviser by volume for 15 consecutive years. What it is buying now is **higher-value**, sponsor-side and credit-fund work, poached from US and elite firms. DLA is trying to shift its reputation from the firm that does the most deals to the firm that does the right deals. #### How to use this in your application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May - Application Insider (TC 2029) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-application-insider-tc-2028-2/ Last updated: 2026-09-30T12:06:29.000Z Do you want to see what a successful Slaughter and May cover letter looks like? If so, you're in the right place. **What is in this Insider:** - A **successful** Slaughter and May covering letter, start to finish - Colour-coded annotations showing what every paragraph is doing, and why it works - A clear breakdown of what Slaughters is really looking for in a letter - How to structure your cover letter **Deadline: 13 November** ### **Successful Application with Feedback** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dechert - Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dechert-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-29T12:02:47.000Z Are you applying for a **Dechert Vacation Scheme?** Here’s the research you need to stand out! **This Playbook covers:** 💰 Why private capital is the strategy 🏦 London office has a new focus 📈 What the partner promotions reveal 🇺🇸 Why the US raid makes London more useful, not less ⚠️ The biggest test facing the firm Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏰ **Deadline:** 16 October --- ### **More US Offices, please** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-34-1.png) **What's going on?** Dechert made some big moves in January by hiring more than 20 partners from McDermott Will & Schulte, led by Mike Poulos, McDermott's former global strategy chief. Poulos became Dechert's vice chair and global head of strategy. 🇺🇸 **This was part of Dechert's US growth strategy.** The McDermott group brought new or relaunched presences in **Chicago** and **Dallas**, while Dechert also moved to set up **Houston** and hired prominent trial lawyer Randy Mastro in **New York**. This was a big turning point for the firm given in 2024 it had closed Chicago as well as Beijing and Hong Kong following a strategic review. **What's the signal?** Please don't just say “*Dechert opened offices*.” You want to show you know your stuff, and to do that you need to talk about the deeper move: **capital reallocation**. Dechert reduced its global footprint to make a very large bet on US litigation, corporate and related premium practices. Plus this is great news for the London office. Dechert's London office already houses a full US corporate capability and describes itself as a resource both for US companies operating internationally and international businesses accessing US capital. Dechert's growing US platform makes London more, not less, strategically useful as the connector between American capital and European transactions and regulation. **How to use this in your Application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Top High Court Cases of 2026 (So Far) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/the-top-high-court-cases-of-2026-so-far/ Last updated: 2026-09-24T05:45:49.000Z Do you want to impress law firms in applications and interviews? *Then read on.* We've picked out some of the most **important cases of 2026** so far plus we explain: - how they **impact law firms** - how you can use them in applications and interviews --- ### Dieselgate Drama ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/Graphics-21.png) **What is the case about?** - Around **1.6 million UK motorists** sued car manufacturers, arguing diesel vehicles contained unlawful software designed to manipulate emissions testing. - The key question was what counts as a prohibited **“defeat device”** under EU-derived vehicle rules. - In July 2026, the High Court adopted a narrower test than the European courts, clearing three of the five lead manufacturers entirely and making only partial findings against Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot-Citroen. **Why does it matter?** The narrower test reduces the scope and potential value of the wider claims, which matters directly to the **litigation funders and insurers** backing them. It is also a striking example of **post-Brexit legal divergence**, with an English court taking a different approach to European courts when interpreting rules inherited from EU law. There is a wider disputes point too: coordinating claims involving more than a million motorists shows how the English courts are adapting to **mass litigation at scale**. **How to discuss in applications** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst Perkins Coie - Interview Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-perkins-coie-interview-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T20:00:01.000Z What to expect from the **Ashurst Perkins Coie Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! This report includes: - Questions asked in the interview - How to answer them - Tips on how to prepare _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley Austin - Interview Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-austin-interview-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T12:30:06.000Z What to expect from the **Sidley Austin Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! This report includes: - Questions asked in the interview - How to answer them - Tips on how to prepare _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Freshfields, A&O Shearman advise on Temu's Copyright Win Over Shein URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-a-o-shearman-advise-on-temus-copyright-win-over-shein/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T11:55:10.000Z A great IP case to discuss in applications and interviews. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham advises on $1.2bn logistics portfolio sale URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-advises-on-1-2bn-logistics-portfolio-sale/ Last updated: 2026-09-20T21:21:40.000Z A nice logistics deal for Lathams. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Daily Memo: Rates go Up URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/daily-memo-rates-go-up/ Last updated: 2026-09-20T21:24:20.000Z **TODAY IN 30 SECONDS** - **US and Chinese officials opened talks in New York on trade, AI and critical minerals**, ahead of a planned Trump-Xi summit and the expiry of the current trade truce in November. - **Chinese chipmaker CXMT says its latest memory-chip technology has entered mass production**, increasing pressure on Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron. - **Anthropic is considering releasing a new AI model ahead of a possible IPO**, even after its chief executive called for the industry to slow the pace of AI development. **THE BIG STORIES** ### **US-China talks move from tariffs into AI and critical minerals** **What happened:** US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng began talks on Sunday covering tariffs, AI security and access to critical minerals ahead of a planned meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. **Why it matters:** - The current trade truce expires in November, so companies with US-China supply chains need clarity on whether tariffs will rise, fall or stay where they are. - Critical minerals matter because they feed into batteries, electronics, defence equipment and advanced manufacturing, giving China significant leverage over Western supply chains. - AI has moved firmly into trade negotiations, meaning restrictions on chips, models and investment are becoming part of the wider economic relationship rather than a separate technology issue. - Even a limited agreement could affect manufacturers, technology companies and exporters making investment decisions for 2027. ### **China’s memory-chip push** **What happened:** Chinese chipmaker CXMT said its fifth-generation DRAM technology platform has entered mass production, with new chips designed to deliver more memory at lower cost and with lower power use. **Why it matters:** - DRAM is the short-term memory used by phones, computers and servers, a market currently dominated by Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron. - CXMT says its new process can produce at least 50% more chip dies from each wafer, which could lower unit costs if manufacturing yields hold up at scale. - A credible Chinese competitor could put pricing pressure on incumbent chipmakers and give Chinese electronics companies another domestic supplier. - US export controls are designed partly to slow China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology, but they are also giving Beijing a stronger incentive to fund domestic alternatives. ### **AI race** heats up **What happened:** Anthropic is considering launching another AI model to respond to OpenAI’s recent momentum, despite chief executive Dario Amodei calling only days earlier for the industry to slow the release of new capabilities. **Why it matters:** - AI companies may want stronger safety controls, but none can easily stop investing while competitors continue launching better products. - That competitive pressure matters ahead of an IPO because public-market investors will scrutinise growth, customer retention and the enormous cost of computing infrastructure. - Open-source AI adds another problem: businesses can increasingly choose cheaper models rather than automatically paying the largest providers. - The tension is simple: slowing development may reduce risk, but slowing alone could also mean losing customers. ### **EU regulators want to block a €1.42bn paper deal** **What happened:** EU competition regulators are expected to block UPM-Kymmene and Sappi’s proposed €1.42bn paper joint venture after the companies failed to resolve concerns that the combination could reduce competition. **Why it matters:** - The deal would create Europe’s largest communication-paper producer, raising concerns that customers could face higher prices. - Selling assets is often used to rescue problematic mergers, but the companies have reportedly struggled to find buyers for potential divestments. - That shows why merger remedies need to be commercially workable, not just legally possible on paper. - The European Commission is due to make its final decision by 11 November. **LAW FIRM RADAR** **LATHAM & WATKINS: $1.2bn industrial property sale** **What happened:** Latham advised Rexford Industrial on the $1.2bn sale of a 22-property US industrial portfolio to EQT Real Estate. **Why this matters for Latham & Watkins:** - The portfolio covers 5.2m square feet, showing the scale of institutional capital moving through logistics and industrial real estate. - The deal required both real estate and corporate expertise, reflecting how large property transactions increasingly resemble broader private capital deals. - Latham has been investing heavily in private equity real estate, including recent partner hiring in London. **How to use this:** Link Latham’s lateral hiring to the work it is winning, rather than discussing recruitment moves in isolation. **Full report:** Read the full analysis on ZipTracker. **DEADLINE RADAR** - **Paul, Weiss | Winter Vacation Scheme | 25 September | Non-rolling** - **Sidley Austin | Winter Vacation Scheme | 25 September | Rolling** - **A&O Shearman | Direct Training Contract | 5 October, 5pm | Non-rolling** - **Hogan Lovells Cadwalader | Winter Vacation Scheme | 5 October | Rolling** - **Dechert | Winter Vacation Scheme | 16 October** ### Sidley Austin, Latham advise on Chelsea FC stake sale URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-austin-latham-advise-on-chelsea-fc-stake-sale/ Last updated: 2026-09-17T15:05:51.000Z Football deal summer continues. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells, Shoosmiths advise on £7M sale of art shipper URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-shoosmiths-advise-on-7m-sale-of-art-shipper/ Last updated: 2026-09-16T11:35:35.000Z **In Short:** UK-listed FIH Group is selling Momart, its specialist arts logistics business (the people who pack and ship priceless paintings and sculptures), to a French investment company for £7.6 million in cash. It's a small but neat deal that lets FIH refocus on its remaining operations in the Falkland Islands. **What's going on** - FIH Group has exchanged "conditional contracts" to sell Momart International and its subsidiaries for £7.6 million in cash. - "Exchanged conditional contracts" means both sides have signed up to the deal, but completion is subject to certain conditions being met first, here, shareholder approval. - The buyer is Compagnie Générale du Roumois, a subsidiary ultimately owned by Paris-based investor Horus Finance. - Momart is a niche business: it specialises in transporting, storing and handling fine art for galleries, museums and collectors, a world away from FIH's other division. - The sale is expected to complete on 30 September, but first needs a green light from FIH's shareholders at a general meeting. - FIH is listed on AIM, London's "junior" market for smaller and growing companies (lighter-touch rules than the main market). - After the sale, FIH plans to hand some of the proceeds back to shareholders and keep the rest in the business, leaving it focused on its remaining arm, the Falkland Islands Company (construction, property and retail). - The buyer is a natural fit: Horus already invests in art logistics and storage, so it brings relevant industry experience. **Key Points to discuss in applications & interviews:** **1\. Selling a non-core business to refocus.** This deal is a tidy example of a company pruning its portfolio. FIH owns two very different businesses, an art shipper and a Falklands-based construction and retail group, and it's offloading the one that doesn't fit its core focus. Selling "non-core" assets lets a company simplify, raise cash, and concentrate management attention on what it does best. The fact that the buyer specialises in art logistics reinforces the logic: Momart is worth more to an owner who understands the sector. Being able to spot why a company sells a perfectly good business (because it's non-core, not because it's failing) shows a mature grasp of corporate strategy. **2\. Conditional contracts and shareholder approval.** Notice that this isn't a done deal, it's conditional, hinging on a shareholder vote. This is a good illustration of the gap between "exchange" and "completion." At exchange, the parties are legally committed to the deal, but completion only happens once the conditions are satisfied. For a listed company, shareholder approval is a common and important condition, because it protects investors' right to have a say on significant transactions. Understanding this two-stage structure, and why deals are often signed before they can actually close, is fundamental to how transactional work operates in practice. **3\. Big lessons from a small deal.** Don't be fooled by the modest £7.6 million price tag; the legal mechanics here mirror those of far larger transactions. There's a cross-border element (a UK seller and a French buyer), a listed company with AIM disclosure obligations, conditions to satisfy, and a plan to return proceeds to shareholders. It's a reminder that the size of a deal doesn't necessarily reflect its legal complexity, and that trainees often cut their teeth on smaller transactions like this one, which pack in many of the same building blocks as headline-grabbing megadeals. A great point for showing you understand what junior lawyers actually work on. **Who is advising on this?** - **Shoosmiths** is advising FIH Group, the seller. - **Hogan Lovells** and **Cadwalader** are advising Horus Finance, with a team including Alexander Premont, Florian Agnel, Lucas Glicenstein and Nathan Seedall. ### Hogan Lovells Cadwalader - Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-cadwalader-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-16T13:55:57.000Z Are you applying for a **Hogan Lovells Cadwalader Vacation Scheme?** Here’s the research you need to stand out! **This Playbook covers:** 🏦 Why Reg + Finance is the focus 💰 Private Capital is the big prize 🇺🇸 Why is Boston a key location 🧬 HLC's tech strategy ⚠️ The biggest test facing the firm Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️**Deadline:** 5 October --- ### HLC is betting Regulation + Finance ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-26.png) **What’s going on?** When Hogan Lovells Cadwalader launched in **July 2026**, CEO Miguel Zaldivar argued that the combination is unusual because it joins Hogan Lovells’ regulatory strength with Cadwalader’s high-end finance capability. That matters particularly for financial institutions. A major financing can now raise issues spanning cybersecurity, sanctions and trade controls, data protection and environmental regulation. Cadwalader adds deeper structured finance, fund finance and capital markets capability, particularly in New York, while Hogan Lovells brings its regulatory platform, including significant strength in Washington, D.C. **What’s the signal?** HLC is betting that the line between **finance and regulation is becoming increasingly blurred**. Clients do not want one firm to structure a transaction and another to explain whether sanctions, cybersecurity rules or regulators might derail it. They want lawyers who can see the whole problem. That makes the **New York–London–Washington axis** super important: - New York adds sophisticated finance capability - Washington brings regulatory and government expertise - London connects the two across international capital markets. Plus Cadwalader’s finance relationships can generate regulatory work for Hogan Lovells, while Hogan Lovells’ existing regulatory and sector clients can generate new finance mandates for Cadwalader teams. ### How to use this in your application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells Cadwalader - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-cadwalader-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T07:30:23.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Hogan Lovells Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Hogan Lovells Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Aside from your work experience and academic studies, which other experiences have helped you develop skills relevant to a career as a commercial lawyer? - Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Jones Day - Interview Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jones-day-interview-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T06:00:33.000Z What to expect from the **Jones Day Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! This report includes: - Questions asked in the interview - How to answer them - Tips on how to prepare _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Welcome to the Lab! URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/welcome-to-the-lab/ Last updated: 2026-09-12T09:20:59.000Z In my first application cycle, I was rejected by over 20 law firms. Looking back, I put that down to two things: **1\. The chaos of law firm app season** **2\. The lack of tools to help me write standout applications** Most of the time I was just guessing what to do with zero guidance. I missed deadlines, I rushed last minute drafts and my commercial awareness was non-existent. That experience is a big part of why my wife and I started ZipLaw five years ago. Since then, it’s been an incredible journey but we’ve always felt there was more we could build to help you get a TC. Something that didn’t just help you understand law firms, but helped you manage the whole application process from start to finish. So for the past year, we’ve been working on exactly that. ### Today, we’re delighted to announce the launch of [**TC Lab**](https://tclab.ziplaw.uk/?ref=ziplaw.uk) **🎉** And I genuinely think it could change the way you apply to law firms forever. Although yes, I am slightly biased. We built [**TC Lab**](https://tclab.ziplaw.uk/?ref=ziplaw.uk) around a very simple question: **What would we have wanted when we were applying?** Because application season can become chaotic very quickly. - Deadlines in one spreadsheet - Firm research across thirty tabs - Commercial awareness saved somewhere else - Draft answers in Word - Interview notes on your phone And six different firms all asking *slightly* different versions of the same question. TC Lab brings all of that **together**. It’s one platform designed to help you go from: **finding the opportunity → researching the firm → building the application → getting the TC** ### So what does TC Lab include? In summary - everything you need to get a TC this year! We’ve set out here some of the key features we’ve added. Don’t want to wait? Access the Lab now and explore it yourself: [Access the Lab](https://tclab.ziplaw.uk/?ref=ziplaw.uk) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/54006FC4-A5DE-4642-B495-AEF7D5DD13FC.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/CAD3EBB4-A2AE-4B2F-A36F-A768169E8E56.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/D975AA0F-309B-440E-A444-D9D7CB590FDE.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/723DA0F1-EC46-48A8-9911-2DFED1B42CD9.png) This is just the start. We will keep building TC Lab with new features, more application tools , fresh content and an ever-growing library of law firm profiles - all designed to make the application process less overwhelming and a lot more effective. We’ve already had a few ZipLaw+ members test TC Lab before launch, and the feedback has been incredible. You can log in and start using TC Lab right now. 👉 **Explore TC Lab:** [tclab.ziplaw.uk](https://tclab.ziplaw.uk/?ref=ziplaw.uk) See you inside, Ludo & Liv ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-20-1.png) ### Latham and Simpson Thacher steer Oura's expected $2.5B IPO URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-and-simpson-thacher-steer-ouras-expected-2-5b-ipo/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T15:27:25.000Z A mega IPO for the ring-maker. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Weiss (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-weiss-winter-vacation-scheme-2026-application-insider/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T07:15:35.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Paul Weiss Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Paul Weiss Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer stand out - Tips on how to draft your applications **⏰ Deadline:** 25 September **Questions covered** - What specifically attracts you to Paul, Weiss’s London office, and how does this differ from your interest in other leading commercial law firms? In your answer, please refer to: - At least one matter, practice area, or development involving the London office; and - How this aligns with the type of lawyer you are aiming to become - Tell us about an interest of activity that matters to you outside of your academic studies. Your answer should focus on: - A challenge or setback you encountered; and - What this experience has taught you about yourself - Please include details of events, webinars and virtual work experience that you have taken part in that have helped you increase your understanding of a career in law. ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley Austin advise on Investor's Fight With AI Company URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-austin-advise-on-investors-fight-with-ai-company/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T07:14:14.000Z An AI company faces an angry investor. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Weiss - Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-weiss-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T07:00:50.000Z Are you applying for a **Paul Weiss Winter Vacation Scheme**? Here's all the research you need to impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 📈 The 2 secret growth areas ⚖️ Why Litigation is a big deal ❗ Top challenges & opportunities 🔍 How to Stand Out Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️**Deadline:** 25 September --- ### **London is Growing** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-25.png) **What’s going on?** Paul Weiss' latest partnership class contained 28 lawyers globally, **eight of them in London**: Marco Bagnato and Matthew Wilson in finance, Jamie Chambers and Rohit Pisal in tax, Lauren O’Brien and James Parkinson in antitrust, Hein Visser in M&A and Hannah Wilson in investment funds. **Why should I care?** This is a new strategy for the firm. The 2023-25 version of the Paul Weiss story was fundamentally about **buying a platform**, recruiting established partners from rivals. The 2026 signal is that it is beginning to build its own depth. Promoting finance, tax, antitrust, M&A and funds lawyers says the firm wants London to be capable of supporting a transaction from several angles without relying indefinitely on imported rainmakers. **How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Baker McKenzie lead as Harry & Celebs hit with a £9.5m Legal Bill URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/baker-mckenzie-lead-as-harry-celebs-hit-with-a-9-5m-legal-bill/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T11:58:23.000Z Daily Mail’s big win. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Clifford Chance, Freshfields steer $2B insurance deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/clifford-chance-freshfields-steer-2b-insurance-deal/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T14:05:44.000Z A big insurance deal for CC and Freshsfields. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Housing Crisis: What does it mean for Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/housing-crisis-what-does-it-mean-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T15:43:18.000Z **In short** Britain's housing market has finally blinked. Average UK prices in August were 0.4% lower than a year earlier, the first annual fall since November 2023, with the typical property costing £298,468, while economists polled by Reuters had expected a 0.2% rise. **What's going on** - Lloyds, a major UK mortgage lender, said its August index showed prices 0.4% below a year earlier, the first annual fall since November 2023. - The average property cost £298,468, down £685 on July, with London and the south east leading the falls. - Mortgage costs have climbed: the average two year fixed rate was 5.6% and the five year 5.66%, both under 5% at the start of the year. - Mortgage approvals, the point at which a lender formally agrees to fund a purchase, were at their lowest since the start of 2024. - Lloyds said sellers are refusing low offers and buyers are waiting, rather than cutting prices; one estate agent called it a standoff. - Middle East tensions have stoked inflation fears and expectations of further rate rises. **How does this impact law firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley Austin - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-austin-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T10:30:11.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Sidley Austin Winter Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A model **Sidley Austin Vacation Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes it stand out - Guidance on how to draft your application **⏱️ Deadline:** 25 September **Questions covered** 1. **Work experience**. 2. **Academic scholarships and prizes**. 3. **Postgraduate qualifications**. 4. **Extra-curricular activities, interests and positions of responsibility** (detail them, state what you feel you have gained from them, and how others have benefited from your involvement). ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Far right tops German regional election URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/far-right-tops-german-regional-election/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T10:33:42.000Z **In short** Alternative for Germany won almost 44 per cent of the vote in the regional election in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, more than double the 20.8 per cent it took in 2021, on a record turnout of 78 per cent in a state of 2.1mn people. Preliminary results put it three seats short of an absolute majority in the state parliament, and coalition talks are expected to be difficult. **What's going on** - Alternative for Germany won almost 44 per cent in Saxony-Anhalt, a former East German state, finishing three seats short of a majority in the Landtag, its state parliament. - Established parties have operated a "firewall", refusing coalitions with the far right, which this result leaves them unable to sustain. - The domestic intelligence agency has classified the party's Saxony-Anhalt branch as rightwing extremist. - The Christian Democratic Union, which has led the state since 2002, fell to 17.2 per cent from 37.1, its worst result there since reunification. - Turnout reached 78 per cent, up from about 60 per cent in 2021, on preliminary results. - Coalition talks are expected to be difficult, and two further regional elections follow this month in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. **How does this impact law firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Jones Day - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jones-day-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-03T11:20:08.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Jones Day Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Jones Day Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **⏱️ Deadline:** 16 October **Questions covered** Please provide a brief statement (300 words) that includes the following: What makes you a good candidate for a training contract at Jones Day? Your answer should be reflective of your skills and personal experience. ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley Austin - Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-austin-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T13:45:13.000Z **Sidley Austin's Winter Vacation Scheme** application is now OPEN (and it's rolling)! This Playbook covers: 🧠 Sidley key growth areas 💸 Why is Finance a big deal? ❗ Sidley's biggest challenge 🔍 How to Stand Out Plus how to use this information to stand out in your application and interviews! ⏱️ Deadline: 25 September --- ### London Finance is key for Growth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-12.png) **What's going on?** Sidley has been boosting its **finance** expertise by hiring key partners from top rivals, like Lathams. Here's how it did it: - 💸 In August 2024 Sidley began raiding Latham & Watkins in London with a five-partner leveraged finance team led by Jayanthi (Jay) Sadanandan and Sam Hamilton, now global co-heads of Sidley's **leveraged finance practice**. - 📈 By April 2025 the count had reached at least 10 Latham partners in nine months, including **finance co-chair** Tania Bedi and high-yield capital markets partners Scott Colwell and Patrick Kwak. - 📊 By 2 July 2026 the firm had made its **29th London lateral partner hire** in three years, insurance M&A partner Carl Hotton from DLA Piper, with roughly 12 of the lateral partners drawn from Latham since late 2024. 💡 **Leveraged finance** means lending to fund private equity buyouts, with debt secured on the acquired company. **Why does this matter?** When a private equity firm buys a business, it does not pay for the whole thing itself. A big chunk of the price is borrowed, and the loan is secured on the company being bought. That borrowing has to be arranged, negotiated and documented, and **that is the work Sidley has gone after.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-11-1.png) **The other half of** t**he picture is who is doing the lending**. It used to be banks. Increasingly it is investment funds lending directly, and those funds now sit at the centre of a lot of London deals. Sidley has decided the best fees are on that side of the table, acting for the buyers and the funds that finance them. **How to use this in your application:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Is this the Biggest Risk for Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/is-this-the-biggest-risk-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T06:00:06.000Z Three of the largest banks in the world have told their law firms that they expect the price of legal work to fall. - Morgan Stanley and Citigroup have said publicly that they want new fee arrangements. - Goldman Sachs has asked its firms to say how much AI is saving them. Today we cover **how this impacts law firms**, and how to use this story in your applications and interviews! --- ### What's going on? As you know, the billable hour is a big deal in the legal industry. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-6.png) The idea is lawyers (*especially the more junior ones*) bill by the hour for a lot of hours. That then funds a very large part of equity partner profit, which is why the billable hour has survived every predicted death for forty years. More hours = more money **But the banks have different ideas...** They think that with AI cutting down fee earner time on big tasks like due diligence, firms should be charging less. - Citigroup is running competitive tenders in which firms must explain their AI savings as part of the bid, and expects a new operating model within a year. - Morgan Stanley expects most external work to be tendered by the end of this year and paid through alternative fee arrangements, meaning anything other than straight hourly billing. Neither wants cheaper lawyers. They will still pay heavily for judgement. but they will not pay premium rates for process. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image-7.png) ### **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case steers Italian rival banks bid URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-steers-italian-rival-banks-bid/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T22:30:51.000Z Monte dei Paschi launches twin bids for Banca Generali and Banco BPM. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kirkland, Paul Weiss advise on $10B Aviation partnership URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kirkland-paul-weiss-advise-on-10b-aviation-partnership/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T22:28:47.000Z A great deal to discuss in your Paul Weiss Application. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simmons & Simmons Advises on Bio Patents Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simmons-simmons-advises-on-bio-patents-claim/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T22:26:45.000Z The claim aims to clear the coast for new patents. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Milbank opens in Chicago with White & Case energy partner URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/milbank-opens-in-chicago-with-white-case-energy-partner/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T22:25:32.000Z Milbank is planting its flag in Chicago, poaching White & Case's global project finance co-head. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A&O Shearman, Travers Smith face off over £583M bid URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-o-shearman-travers-smith-face-off-over-peel-groups-583m-harworth-bid/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T22:27:17.000Z A big property deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Weiss, Lathams advise on €1.2B management buyout URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-weiss-lathams-advise-on-eur1-2b-management-buyout/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T22:16:35.000Z Paul Weiss is advising on this complex deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A&O Shearman, Latham and Cleary steer Bezos-backed stake in Liverpool FC URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-o-shearman-latham-and-cleary-steer-bezos-backed-stake-in-liverpool-fc/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T15:19:27.000Z A huge football deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HFW boosts growth with new external advisor hire URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hfw-boosts-growth-with-new-external-advisor-hire/ Last updated: 2026-09-23T11:56:25.000Z A nice growth hire for HFW. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A&O Shearman - Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simpson-thacher-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026-2/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T11:00:44.000Z Are you applying for an **A&O Shearman** Vacation Scheme? Here's all the research you need to impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🏢 Why did AO Shearman open in Chicago? 📈 Flat revenue, profits up 14%: what that actually tells you ❗ Top challenges and opportunities 🔍 How to Stand Out Plus how to use this information to stand out in your video questions and interviews! ⏱️ Deadline: 7 September --- ### A&O Shearman's US Bet ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/09/image.png) **What's going on?** - The merger's core rationale was cracking the US market, and the evidence is genuinely mixed. - **On the positive side,** the US hiring has been very focused: private equity and M&A partners in Los Angeles, Austin and Chicago (including Germaine Gurr from Sidley Austin in February 2025 and Val Bleicher from Kirkland & Ellis), fund finance and capital markets in New York, and energy finance in Houston. - **April 2025:** opened a Chicago office, its tenth in the US, with two energy-transition partners from Mayer Brown. It made 24 lateral hires in total in FY2026. - **On the less positive side:** more than 170 legacy partners have left or retired since the merger was announced in May 2023, with more than a third of those exits in the US, and 130 gone since go-live in May 2024. - **15 September 2025:** the most damaging exit. David Higbee, global head of antitrust, executive committee member and a former chief of staff and deputy assistant attorney general in the DOJ's antitrust division, left Washington DC for Paul Weiss, taking partners Ben Gris and Djordje Petkoski with him. **What's the signal?** This is a firm buying and losing US talent at the same time. The strategy is coherent (concentrate on high-value US corporate, PE, energy and disputes work) but execution is fragile: you cannot build a US private capital powerhouse to rival Kirkland and Latham while your antitrust head and your life-sciences and privacy partners are leaving for those very rivals. The US strategy is a work in progress with real momentum in energy and private capital but a genuine retention problem, and because the firm does not disclose US-specific revenue, "is it working?" currently rests on hires, exits and commentary rather than hard US financials. **How to use this in your application and interview** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simpson Thacher - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simpson-thacher-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-27T16:42:33.000Z **Simpson Thacher's Winter Vacation Scheme** application is **OPEN!** **⏰ Deadline:** 13 September This Application Insider contains 👇 - A **Simpson Thacher Vac Scheme application** - **Our feedback** on what makes each answer stand out - How to write an impressive application **Questions covered:** - *Tell us why you want to join Simpson Thacher.* - *How have your extracurricular activities contributed to your development of skills relevant to a career in corporate law?* ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### DealSheet - Simpson Thacher (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dealsheet-simpson-thacher-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-27T16:42:41.000Z Want to impress in your **Simpson Thacher** Winter Vacation Scheme Application? This **DealSheet** includes: 🚢 5 recent deals ST advised on 🧠 Clear summaries for each ⚖️ Who ST advised, and the legal teams involved 💡 How to use these in your application **⏰ Deadline:** 13 September --- ### 🛥️ Blackstone's Safe Harbor Buys MarineMax for $1.5bn ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/08/Graphics---2026-08-19T173419.582.png) **In short:** Safe Harbor Marinas, a marina and superyacht services platform owned by Blackstone Infrastructure, took recreational boat and yacht retailer MarineMax private in a $1.5 billion all-cash deal. **📝 Details:** - MarineMax will delist from the New York Stock Exchange on completion, which is expected by the end of the year. - The price represents a 96% premium to where the shares closed on 30 January, the last trading day before it became public that Safe Harbor had made an unsolicited, non-binding approach. - The combination pairs MarineMax's 120-plus locations, including more than 70 dealerships and 65 marina and storage sites, with Safe Harbor's 150-plus locations across the US and Puerto Rico. - Blackstone acquired Safe Harbor in 2025 in a $5.65 billion deal. **🤔 Why it matters:** A private equity owner is buying a competitor and bolting it onto a business it already runs. Safe Harbor stores and services boats; MarineMax sells them and runs marinas of its own. That means, a customer could buy a boat, keep it and have it serviced within the same group. There's two key points to note here to show you understand what happens to a listed company once a takeover approach becomes public: - first is the **96% premium,** which is far above the 25% to 40% you would normally expect. That gap suggests the stock market was valuing MarineMax well below what a buyer already operating in the sector thought the business was worth. - second is the **sequence of events**. Safe Harbor's approach was not invited, and once news of it leaked at the end of January, MarineMax's board had limited room to simply carry on as an independent company. Running a competitive process was the sensible response, both to push the price up and to show shareholders the directors had tested the market properly. **⚖️ Who did Simpson Thacher advise?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simpson Thacher - Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simpson-thacher-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-27T16:41:39.000Z Are you applying for a **Simpson Thacher Winter Vacation Scheme**? Here's all the research you need to impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🏢 Why did ST open in Chicago? 📈 Hidden areas of growth ❗ Top challenges and opportunities 🔍 How to Stand Out Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️**Deadline:** 13 September --- ### Simpson **Thacher**'s Growth Strategy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/08/Graphics---2026-08-11T134624.667-1.png) **What's going on?** The firm's London hiring in 2025 and 2026 reads like a shopping list aimed at its closest rivals. - 🤝 From **Kirkland & Ellis** it took private equity M&A partner Nick Appleton, and secondaries funds partner Joanne Mak last year. - 💸 From **Freshfields** it took funds regulatory partner Emma Rachmaninov in July 2026, who co-leads the European financial services and funds regulatory team. - 💰 Earlier, leveraged finance partners Bryan Robson and William Gwyn arrived from **Sidley** in January 2025, and Dan Peach from **Linklaters**. Those finance hires matter because the firm was replenishing a bench hit hard in 2023, when top finance partners Ian Barratt and Sinead O'Shea left for Kirkland. **What's the signal?** **First, look at what the hires actually do.** Regulatory, secondaries, funds and finance. These are the specialisms that sit *around* a transaction rather than at the centre of it. A firm hiring only more buyout partners is trying to do more deals. A firm hiring regulatory, financing and secondaries specialists is trying to own everything a client needs across a deal's whole life, so that the client never has to instruct a second firm. **Second, the pattern of poaching from Kirkland is key.** These two firms sit at the top of the European sponsor market and effectively recycle each other's talent. That tells you the competitive set is very small, and that the fight is won on individual partners rather than on brand. **How to use this in your Application:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst Perkins Coie - Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-perkins-coie-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T11:30:16.000Z Are you applying for an **Ashurst Perkins Coie Winter Vacation Scheme**? Here's all the research you need to impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🤝Why is the merger a big deal? 🤖 A unique use of Legal AI ❗ Top challenges and opportunities 🔍 How to Stand Out Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️ **Deadline:** 11 September ([Apply here](https://fsr.cvmailuk.com/ashurstperkinscoiecareers/main.cfm?page=jobSpecific&jobId=78741&srxksl=1&ref=ziplaw.uk)) --- ### The US Merger ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/08/image-10.png) **What's going on?** Ashurst and Perkins Coie announced their intent to combine on 17 November 2025, partners at both firms voted "overwhelmingly" in favour on 13 April 2026, surpassing the two-thirds majority required, and the deal completed on 28 June 2026\. Ashurst had openly wanted a US platform "for many years", in Jenkins's words. It got there just months after Perkins Coie had been the target of a US presidential executive order. **What's the signal?** - 📈 This is a scale-and-access play. Ashurst had a tiny US presence before the deal (roughly 55 lawyers across New York, Austin and Los Angeles); almost all of Perkins Coie's lawyers sit in the US. - 💸 The merger is the fastest possible route into the world's most profitable legal market. - ⚖️ Ashurst walked toward a firm mid-fight with the US administration because the strategic prize, US tech and litigation depth, outweighed the political noise. **How to use this in your Application:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst Perkins Coie, Hogan Lovells face off in African Bank Case URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-perkins-coie-hogan-lovells-face-off-in-african-bank-case/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T11:10:44.000Z The bank wants €25 million plus interest. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How does the US-Canada Trade War impact Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-does-the-us-canada-trade-war-impact-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T06:27:21.000Z Trade Wars are back! The US will tax Canadian cars, trucks and parts at 50% from 1 January. Canada hit back with counter-tariffs of up to 50% on $20bn of US imports from 8 September. **Today we cover how this impacts Law Firms and their clients.** --- ### The story so far ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/08/image-9.png) Donald Trump shakes hands with Mark Carney last October. © Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters - **Friday:** trade talks collapse shortly before a midnight deadline. Canada suspends negotiations, saying the US demanded limits on its ability to strike trade deals elsewhere. - **Saturday:** the US imposes an additional tariff of up to 50% on $20bn of Canadian exports. - **Monday:** the US says cars, trucks and parts will face 50% from 1 January, with steel levies fixed at the same rate. Ford and Stellantis shares fall about 4%, GM more than 2%. - **Tuesday:** Canada publishes a 99-page list of hundreds of US goods facing counter-tariffs of 15, 25 or 50% from 8 September, covering $20bn of imports including steel, dairy products and agricultural equipment, alongside a $5.5bn support package for affected businesses and workers. **Why does this matter?** The measures cover about 5% of Canada's exports to the US, and more than 80% still crosses duty free. The 50% rate on cars starts in January, and Canada's counter-tariffs start on 8 September. Even so, carmakers' shares fell the day of the announcement. - **🚗 Why are car makers in trouble?** The problem is the **uncertainty** this creates for businesses. A car plant is money you cannot get back. Once they know rules might change in four months, many carmakers will stop building, stop hiring and stop quoting long prices until they know what the rules are. That creates a big impact on the economy even if the tariffs have not kicked in yet. ### How does this impact law firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst Perkins Coie - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-perkins-coie-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-25T08:30:47.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Ashurst Perkins Coie Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - An Ashurst Perkins Coie **Vacation Scheme application** answering the question below - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **⏱️ Deadline:** 11 September **Question covered** - What has motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law and why have you applied to Ashurst Perkins Coie? - What do you think are the three most important skills required to be a successful trainee, and provide examples of where you may have demonstrated these skills? - Based on your research of Ashurst Perkins Coie, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? - Share some information about your hobbies, interests, and activities outside of work or study. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst Perkins Coie boosts Litigation Practice with new hire URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-perkins-coie-boosts-litigation-practice-with-new-hire/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T22:03:46.000Z Ashurst Perkins Coie has picked up a new litigation partner to deal with complex tech disputes. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Skadden, Latham and King & Wood Mallesons steer Shein's $27B Hong Kong IPO URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/skadden-latham-and-king-wood-mallesons-steer-sheins-27b-hong-kong-ipo/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T21:52:53.000Z Fast-fashion giant Shein launches a $27bn Hong Kong IPO after U.S. and U.K. listings collapsed amid regulatory and ESG concerns. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bird & Bird advise on Football Club IP claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bird-bird-advise-on-football-club-ip-claim/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T11:15:07.000Z A Spanish football club vs a clothing brand? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### CMA investigates Trainline, Virgin Atlantic and Red Driving School URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cma-investigates-trainline-virgin-atlantic-and-red-driving-school/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T11:13:40.000Z **In short** Britain's competition watchdog opened drip pricing investigations into Trainline, Virgin Atlantic and Red Driving School. Trainline's shares promptly came off the rails, dropping 14%. **What's going on** - The Competition and Markets Authority, the UK's competition and consumer regulator, is investigating Trainline, Virgin Atlantic and Red Driving School over how they display prices. - Drip pricing means the advertised price leaves out compulsory fees, which appear later in the booking, so the real total only becomes clear at the end. - The regulator says the practice also distorts competition, because a seller hiding part of its price looks cheaper than a rival showing everything. - It ordered ticket site StubHub to pay close to £1.5mn in refunds and penalties in June, and can fine up to 10% of global turnover for an infringement. - All three companies say they are cooperating; Trainline is already changing how some fees are shown. **How does this impact law firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Blank Street raises $75mn to build a daily luxury brand URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/blank-street-raises-75mn-to-build-a-daily-luxury-brand/ Last updated: 2026-08-23T21:16:33.000Z **In short** Blank Street has raised $75mn from investors including private equity firm General Atlantic, valuing the six-year-old coffee chain at about $650mn as it opens stores in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Malibu. For a business built on viral matcha, the tie-up looks like a matcha made in heaven, although the price tag lands short of the $1bn some investors had wanted. **What's going on** - Blank Street, a six-year-old chain of more than 100 coffee shops mostly in London and New York, has raised $75mn from investors including private equity firm General Atlantic. - The round values the company at about $650mn including the new money, a figure known as the post-money valuation, up from $500mn last year. - The company wants to be a "daily luxury brand", selling matcha and ice cream alongside coffee, and takes most of its sales in the afternoon. - Some investors had hoped the round would push the valuation towards $1bn, which co-founder Issam Freiha said was mistaken. - General Atlantic, which manages about $130bn and owns Joe & The Juice, called out-of-home coffee and matcha a large, growing category. **How does this impact law firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes leads on Music Tour Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-leads-on-music-tour-claim/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T18:53:19.000Z A claim involving a major rapper and a London tour. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst Perkins Coie, Davis Polk and Cleary lead on $4B aluminium deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-perkins-coie-davis-polk-and-cleary-lead-on-4b-aluminium-deal/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T18:51:11.000Z The deal marks newly merged Ashurst Perkins Coie's first big deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T17:40:11.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Macfarlanes Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Macfarlanes** **Vacation Scheme applications** answering the question below - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **⏱️ Deadline:** 5 December (Rolling) **Question covered** - If someone were to read your story so far, what would make them think, ‘This person belongs at Macfarlanes’? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes Playbook (Winter Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-playbook-winter-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T13:09:06.000Z Are you applying for a **Macfarlanes Winter Vacation Scheme**? Here's all the research you need to impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🏢 Why did it open in New York? 🤖 A unique use of Legal AI ❗ Top challenges and opportunities 🔍 How to Stand Out Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️ **Deadline:** 28 August --- ### **A Tax lawyer runs the firm** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/08/Graphics---2026-08-18T135333.609.png) **What's going on?** In July 2025 Macfarlanes named **Damien Crossley**, its head of tax for the previous decade, as its next senior partner, effective 1 April 2026\. The firm then identified four pillars to focus on: - 📈 Private capital - 💸 Private wealth - 🤝 M&A - ⚖️ Disputes **What's the signal?** Firms tell you what they value by who they put in charge. Crossley is not a corporate rainmaker in the traditional mould; he is a tax specialist who spent years wiring the firm into the private capital industry. His promotion, plus a formal reorganisation around private capital and private wealth, signals that Macfarlanes sees its future less in one-off M&A deals and more in deep, recurring relationships with fund managers and wealthy individuals. Tax and private client are no longer support acts; they are central to the firm's commercial model. **How to use this in your Application:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Walker Morris leads Nerds owner in trademark fight URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/walker-morris-leads-nerds-owner-in-trademark-fight/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T13:01:28.000Z A sweet case for Walker Morris. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes, Clifford Chance, Paul Weiss lead on easyJet Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-clifford-chance-paul-weiss-lead-on-easyjet-deal/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T12:49:02.000Z A huge £5.7 billion. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simpson Thacher, CMS advise on £400M housing deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simpson-thacher-cms-advise-on-400m-housing-deal/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T10:42:20.000Z A big rentals deal for Simpson Thacher. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How to Answer the Top 3 TC Application Questions URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-to-answer-the-top-3-tc-application-question/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T10:10:14.000Z You have probably had the experience by now. Four hours on a Sunday afternoon, three cups of coffee, one application form. You reread the answer about why you want to be a solicitor until the words stop meaning anything. You submit it. Then nothing. Six weeks later an email arrives at 4:47pm on a Friday telling you that this year's applications were of an exceptionally high standard. Applying for training contracts feels like shouting into a void, because from where you are sitting, it mostly is. You get no feedback, no explanation, and no way of knowing whether the problem was your answer to question four or the fact that eleven hundred other people applied for twelve places. Here is the useful part. Across almost every firm, in almost every application cycle, three questions keep appearing. The wording shifts. One firm asks "why do you want to be a commercial solicitor?" and another asks "what attracts you to a career in law?" One asks "why this firm?" and another asks "what do you know about us and why does it appeal?" One asks for a commercial development that interests you and another asks how a recent news story might affect the firm's clients. Different sentences, same three questions underneath. Those three questions carry most of the weight of the written application. Answer them specifically and you are past a very large number of candidates. Answer them vaguely and no amount of polish elsewhere on the form will rescue you. This guide takes each question in turn: what the recruiter is actually assessing (rarely what the question appears to ask), the mistakes that sink most answers, and a full model answer of the length you would realistically type into a form. After each one there is a breakdown of why it works, pointing at the specific choices that earn credit. One warning before you start. These model answers are not for copying. They belong to fictional candidates with fictional experiences, and a recruiter who reads four hundred forms a season can smell borrowed prose from the first paragraph. What you should take is the architecture: the order the ideas arrive in, the ratio of claim to evidence, the places where a specific detail does the work that an adjective cannot. Fill that architecture with your own material and it will sound like you, because it will be you. Start with question one. --- ## Question One: "Why do you want to be a solicitor?" _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Vinson & Elkins - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/vinson-elkins-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T10:24:31.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Vinson & Elkins Summer Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **successful Vinson & Elkins Summer Vacation Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes each answer stand out and how to take it up a notch ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### K&L Gates - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/k-l-gates-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-07-19T17:55:49.000Z Here's how you can ace your **K&L Gates TC** application. This Application Insider contains 👇 - A successful **K&L Gates TC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Deadline:** 31 July **Questions covered** - What personal or career goals do you have for yourself at present? - Why have you decided to pursue a career as a solicitor? What other options did you consider seriously and why did you choose not to pursue them? - Why do you feel you are suited to K&L Gates LLP? - Which of your achievements are you most proud of? What made this achievement stand out from the rest? - Describe a time you were faced with a particularly difficult situation or problem. What did you do? Were other people involved? What did you learn about yourself? - Please use the space below if you wish to add a covering letter to your application form. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HFW - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hfw-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T09:00:33.000Z ⏰ **HFW's TC** deadline is **16 July** **In this Insider:** One strong application. Annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what HFW graduate recruitment is looking for, and where most candidates fall flat. **Questions covered 👇** - Please provide details of your main extracurricular interests and achievements. How have these helped you to develop the skills that you will need as a commercial solicitor? - Why do you want to pursue a career as a solicitor at an international law firm? What steps have you taken to research this as a career? - Why have you chosen to apply to HFW and how do you think the firm differs from its competitors? - Please identify an issue currently in the mainstream media and explain how this is likely to impact the clients that HFW represents and the type of work that the firm undertakes. - We recognise that Generative AI offers support to candidates and that it is an increasingly prevalent tool which candidates may wish to use. With this in mind, please briefly describe how, if at all, you have used Generative AI to assist with this application and how you believe it has added value. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Hastings - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-hastings-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-06-14T09:00:16.000Z ⏰ **Paul Hastings TC** deadline: **30 June** **In this Insider:** One strong application. Annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly how to draft your answers to impress Paul Hastings. **Questions covered 👇** - Why do you wish to become a solicitor? - What skills do you believe contribute to the success of a solicitor? - Why are your skills and attributes suited to a career at Paul Hastings? Why should we offer you a Training Contract? - What has attracted you to Paul Hastings? - Why do you wish to complete a work placement with us? ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### RPC - Assessment Centre Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/rpc-assessment-centre-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-06-12T14:43:44.000Z What to expect from the RPC TC Assessment Centre. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why You Keep Failing Assessment Centres (And How to Convert the Next One) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-to-convert-assessment-centres/ Last updated: 2026-06-11T07:34:38.000Z You got through the application. You passed the tests. You may even have survived a video interview. You walk into the assessment centre feeling reasonably good about it, and then the rejection lands anyway. If that has happened to you more than once, you are not alone, and it almost certainly does not mean you are a weak candidate. The final stage of a vacation scheme or training contract process is where the margins are thinnest and where small, fixable habits decide who gets the offer. Below are the three patterns that quietly cost candidates the most, plus a practical playbook for turning your next assessment centre into a yes. ## Why most candidates do not convert assessment centres By the time you reach an assessment centre, the firm already believes you can do the academic side of the job. Your transcript and your tests have answered that question. What they are now testing is something subtler: how you think commercially, why you actually want them specifically, and whether you understand yourself well enough to be trusted in front of a client. Most rejections at this stage trace back to one of three things. None of them is about intelligence, and all of them respond quickly to a change in approach. ## Mistake 1: Treating commercial awareness as a news quiz The most common trap is preparing for commercial awareness by hoovering up headlines. You can name the big deals of the month, you can summarise the latest interest rate decision, and you assume that being well read will be enough. It is not, because firms are not testing recall. They are testing analysis. There is a world of difference between describing what happened and explaining why it matters. Take a simple example. Suppose a private equity house has just bought a regional logistics company. The descriptive answer stops at "a PE firm acquired a logistics business." The commercial answer keeps going: - Why would a buyer want this business now? Perhaps e-commerce growth has made last-mile delivery valuable, or the target owns warehouse property in a supply-constrained market. - What are the risks? Integration, debt servicing, customer concentration, exposure to fuel prices and wage inflation. - Where does a law firm fit? Due diligence on contracts and property, the acquisition financing, competition clearance, employment issues on any restructuring, and the eventual exit. That second version is the one that earns marks, because it shows you can move from a news event to a client's actual problem. Build this habit early. The candidates who try to bolt commercial thinking on in the week before an assessment centre are easy to spot. A reliable way to sharpen this skill is to pick one story a week and force yourself to write three sentences: what happened, why it matters to a specific business, and how a law firm could help. Commercial awareness competitions and case study practice work for the same reason. They make you reason under pressure rather than simply read. Get access to our commercial awareness newsletters. We break down the top news stories and explain how they impact Law Firms and their Clients! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) ## Mistake 2: Firm research that could apply to half a dozen firms The second pattern shows up in the dreaded "Why this firm?" question. Weaker answers list a firm's practice areas, a couple of headline deals and something vague about culture, and they sound exactly like an answer you could give to four of that firm's closest competitors. That is the tell. If you could swap the firm's name out and the answer would still hold, it is not really an answer about that firm. Strong firm research goes deeper than the website's homepage. It looks at strategy, sector strengths, the firm's client base, where it is investing and growing, and recent moves such as lateral hires, office openings or notable mandates. The goal is to understand what makes this firm a distinct business, not just a name with a logo. There is a useful mental model for this. Most attractive features are not unique on their own. Plenty of firms offer international secondments. Plenty have a strong sector focus. What distinguishes a firm is usually the *combination* of features and how that combination maps onto what you want. Imagine three firms. One offers international secondments, one has an unusually strong energy practice, and the third offers both alongside a genuinely lean trainee cohort. No single feature is rare. The specific blend, and the reason it suits you, is what makes a convincing answer. Talk about the mix, and connect it explicitly to your own interests and where you want your career to go. Get access to Law Firm Research Playbooks. We dig into all the hidden details about Law Firms strategies and show you how to use it in your Applications and ACs! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) ## Mistake 3: Listing experiences without joining the dots The third pattern is the most human. Candidates talk about genuinely interesting things they have done, a part-time job, a society they led, a stint of legal work experience, but they stop at the description and never explain why it mattered. Assessors are not collecting a list of activities. They want to know what you learned, how it shaped you, and why it makes you a good fit for this role at this firm. A bar job is not impressive in itself. A bar job that taught you to stay composed with difficult customers, manage competing demands at speed and keep cash reconciled to the penny is a story about resilience, prioritisation and attention to detail, which happen to be exactly what a trainee needs. The fix is to treat every experience as a "so what." Whatever you mention, be ready to say what skill it built, how it changed your thinking, and how it connects to commercial law and to that firm. Access 100+ AC Insights from real candidates. Read through their AC experience and how they stood out. [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) ## The three questions every assessment centre is really asking Strip away the exercises and the small talk, and almost every interview comes down to three questions. Prepare these properly and most of the day takes care of itself. **Why commercial law?** Avoid the generic "I like problem solving" answer. Anchor it in something real you saw or did, an open day, a piece of work experience, a project, and explain what it revealed to you about the work. **Why this firm?** Be specific, use evidence, and lean on the combination model above. A strong version sounds like: "I attended an open day at an energy company, which is what drew me to your Energy and Natural Resources practice, and that sits alongside the international secondment programme I want, which is a combination I have not found elsewhere." **Why you?** This is where reflection beats achievement. Draw the clear line from your experiences to the transferable skills a trainee needs, and be honest about how you have developed. The strongest answers to all three are specific, backed by evidence and tied to your own story. The weakest ones are abstract and interchangeable. ## How to build commercial awareness that actually lands Do not treat commercial awareness as a separate box to tick the night before. Weave it into everything you prepare. When you read a story, discuss a case study, or even reflect on a previous job, ask what the commercial implications are, whose perspective matters, and what the practical consequences would be. It will not always be relevant, and you do not need to find the commercial angle in your old retail job. The point is to build the reflex so that it is ready when a question genuinely calls for it. ## The mindset shift that changes everything The candidates who start converting assessment centres tend to describe the same turning point. They stop seeing the day as a test of how much information they can memorise, and start treating it as a chance to show three things: genuine motivation towards the firm and the work, real commercial thinking, and honest self-awareness about their strengths and weaknesses. That shift takes the pressure off. You are no longer trying to recite the perfect answer. You are having a series of intelligent, well-prepared conversations about why you want to be there and what you bring. One last thing worth holding onto. A rejection does not always mean you performed badly. The fields at this stage are strong and the margins are fine, and you can be a genuinely good candidate who happened to come up against an exceptional one on the day. The feedback you take from an unsuccessful assessment centre is often exactly what wins you the next one. ## Frequently asked questions **How long does it take to improve at assessment centres?** Faster than most people expect. The three mistakes above are habits, not talents, and candidates often see a noticeable shift within a few weeks of changing their approach to commercial awareness and firm research. **Do I need extraordinary experiences to convert an assessment centre?** No. What differentiates candidates is rarely the experience itself, but their ability to explain what they learned, how they developed, and why it makes them a good fit for the role. **How many headline deals should I memorise for commercial awareness?** Depth beats breadth. A handful of stories you can analyse properly, covering why they matter to a business and where a law firm adds value, will serve you far better than a long list you can only describe. **What is the most common reason candidates fail the "Why this firm?" question?** Answers that are not firm-specific. If your answer could apply to several of the firm's competitors with minor edits, it is too generic. Focus on the firm's particular combination of strengths and connect it to your own goals. **Is a rejection after an assessment centre a sign I am not cut out for law?** Not at all. The margins at this stage are very fine, and strong candidates are turned down regularly simply because the competition is intense. The lessons you take from a near miss are often what convert the next opportunity. --- *Want to sharpen your commercial awareness and firm research before your next assessment centre? Explore ZipLaw's Commercial Awareness resources and Firm Playbooks to build the depth that turns interviews into offers.* ### Is the World Cup good for Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/is-the-world-cup-good-for-law-firms-2/ Last updated: 2026-06-09T07:00:38.000Z Good morning, ZipLawyer! **Today’s top stories** ⚽ How does the World Cup impact Law Firms? 🍬 Tate & Lyle agrees to £2.7bn takeover 🍞 Macfarlanes leads on Hovis takeover ✈️ RPC advises on plane insurance claim --- ### Is the World Cup good for Law Firms? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/Graphics--27-.png) ### What's going on? - This year's World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. - FIFA reckons it could pump as much as **$9.6bn** into the US economy with fans flying in, filling hotels, downing pints. - To land the games, cities agreed to foot the bill for things like security and transport. And, they also agreed to hand over game-day revenues and to accept limits on the sponsorship money they're allowed to earn. ### So hosting is a jackpot, right? That's the pitch *(pun intended)*. The World Cup is sold as a month of the planet's attention, stadiums packed, tourists everywhere. "Inject $9.6bn" sounds like free money raining down on the host. But "*injecting money into the economy*" just means extra spending that **wouldn't have happened otherwise**. And that little phrase — *wouldn't have happened otherwise* — is where the whole story quietly falls apart. ### Hang on, who actually gets the cash? Not the cities. FIFA stands to make around **$11bn** from selling TV rights and (controversially priced) tickets. The cheapest tickets for group-stage games averaged $200; those for the final went for at least $2,030. **So the split looks like this:** FIFA keeps the broadcast and ticket billions, while the cities pick up the tab for security and transport and have signed away their game-day takings on top. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/image-8.png) ### But surely all those visitors spending money still helps? Less than you'd think. Maybe not at all. Three problems: **1\. The benefit pools in one narrow place.** Most of the visitor spending lands in hospitality - hotels and bars - rather than spreading across the city. And even there, hotel owners have grumbled that bookings are coming in underwhelming. **2\. The official maths looks heroic.** FIFA's own projection works out to as much as **$7,000 of economic benefit per fan**. That's every single visitor spending the price of a used car, purely on their trip. Plausible? Be very sceptical. **3\. The big one: crowding out** **Crowding out** happens when a giant event doesn't *add* new spending but just replaces spending that would have happened anyway, and scares off the rest. **Here's how it bites a host city**. A World Cup can shove out the boring-but-reliable money — the conferences and conventions that would have filled those same hotels and halls. And locals, dodging the crowds and the chaos, often steer clear of the very neighbourhoods where matches are on, so they stop spending there too. Add it up, and a city can end up with *less* going on, not more. 💡 ****Did you know?** When economists later crunched the 1994 tournament (yes, the Chicago one), they estimated US host cities took a collective hit of as much as ****$9.3bn**. The World Cup didn't make them money. It cost them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/image-6.png) ### Will this time be different? One thing genuinely is different in 2026: the US isn't building new stadiums for these games. That matters enormously, because new stadiums are where host nations usually set fire to the most cash. Qatar and Russia poured billions into shiny new infrastructure that had little use once the party ended. America is reusing what it already has, and the federal government is chipping in **$625m** to help cities cover their World Cup costs — a fraction of what those previous hosts spent. So the downside may be capped this time. But notice the pattern underneath all of it: the World Cup reliably makes money **for FIFA**. Whether it makes money for a host *city* is a far shakier bet, and it hinges almost entirely on how much that city spends to throw the party. ### How does this impact Law Firms? 🎉 Unlock our in depth analysis of how this trend impacts Law Firms and their clients, plus all of ZipLaw+ benefits! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) ### Key Trainee Tasks 🎉 Unlock the tasks a Trainee would be expected to complete in relation to this story so you can impress in applications and interviews [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) --- ### Quick Hits ### ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/image-9.png) 🏦 The **Monte dei Paschi di Siena** saga thickens: Italy's biggest bank, Intesa Sanpaolo, has tabled a near-€31bn offer, pitched 12.5% above MPS's Friday close. It muscles in just after Banco BPM floated its own "national champion" merger plan. A proper Italian bidding war is brewing, and the advisers' fee clocks are ticking. 🍬 British food-ingredients group **Tate & Lyle** has agreed a £2.7bn takeover by American rival Ingredion, sweetening another exit from the London Stock Exchange. The bourse has weathered a run of high-profile departures and snubs lately; even amid a City revival, fresh worries surface about whether British public markets can keep their listings. 🛢️ **Israel** paused its strikes on **Iran** at **Trump's** request, and Iran said it would hold fire too, though both warn they'll resume if provoked. Markets exhaled: Brent crude slipped from nearly $98 to below $95 a barrel. OPEC+ also lifted output quotas for a fourth straight month, having seen exports battered by the conflict. ✈️ **Germany** is reportedly bailing on the Future Combat Air System, the next-gen fighter jet it was building with France and Spain. The project has been bogged down by French-German squabbling over who does which bits. Neither government has confirmed it publicly, but a high-profile defence joint venture looks close to collapse. 📈 American **stocks** bounced back, with chipmakers recovering from Friday's sell-off and the S&P 500 up around 1% and the NASDAQ more than 1.5%. The ceasefire news soothed nerves. Both indices had tumbled last week as strong jobs data stoked rate-hike fears and AI-bubble jitters sent investors heading for the exits. --- ### From the ZipTracker ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/image-5.png) 🎉 Unlock today’s deals and cases featuring ****Macfarlanes, RPC, Morgan Lewis** and 500 more in the ZipTracker plus all of ZipLaw+ benefits! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/account/plans) --- ### Term of the Day: CMA **Competition and Markets Authority (CMA):** the UK's competition regulator. It promotes fair competition and protects consumers, by investigating mergers, breaking up cartels, and stopping abuse of market power. For example, it can block a takeover that would leave shoppers with fewer choices and higher prices. --- 🙋 **Did you enjoy this?** Let us know by voting with the buttons below! Share this with a friend. ### Is the World Cup good for Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/is-the-world-cup-good-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-06-09T06:45:58.000Z Good morning, ZipLawyer! **Today’s top stories** ⚽ How does the World Cup impact Law Firms? 🍬 Tate & Lyle agrees to £2.7bn takeover 🍞 Macfarlanes leads on Hovis takeover ✈️ RPC advises on plane insurance claim --- ### Is the World Cup good for Law Firms? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/Graphics--27-.png) ### What's going on? - This year's World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada. - FIFA reckons it could pump as much as **$9.6bn** into the US economy with fans flying in, filling hotels, downing pints. - To land the games, cities agreed to foot the bill for things like security and transport. And, they also agreed to hand over game-day revenues and to accept limits on the sponsorship money they're allowed to earn. ### So hosting is a jackpot, right? That's the pitch *(pun intended)*. The World Cup is sold as a month of the planet's attention, stadiums packed, tourists everywhere. "Inject $9.6bn" sounds like free money raining down on the host. But "*injecting money into the economy*" just means extra spending that **wouldn't have happened otherwise**. And that little phrase — *wouldn't have happened otherwise* — is where the whole story quietly falls apart. ### Hang on, who actually gets the cash? Not the cities. FIFA stands to make around **$11bn** from selling TV rights and (controversially priced) tickets. The cheapest tickets for group-stage games averaged $200; those for the final went for at least $2,030. **So the split looks like this:** FIFA keeps the broadcast and ticket billions, while the cities pick up the tab for security and transport and have signed away their game-day takings on top. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/image-8.png) ### But surely all those visitors spending money still helps? Less than you'd think. Maybe not at all. Three problems: **1\. The benefit pools in one narrow place.** Most of the visitor spending lands in hospitality - hotels and bars - rather than spreading across the city. And even there, hotel owners have grumbled that bookings are coming in underwhelming. **2\. The official maths looks heroic.** FIFA's own projection works out to as much as **$7,000 of economic benefit per fan**. That's every single visitor spending the price of a used car, purely on their trip. Plausible? Be very sceptical. **3\. The big one: crowding out** **Crowding out** happens when a giant event doesn't *add* new spending but just replaces spending that would have happened anyway, and scares off the rest. **Here's how it bites a host city**. A World Cup can shove out the boring-but-reliable money — the conferences and conventions that would have filled those same hotels and halls. And locals, dodging the crowds and the chaos, often steer clear of the very neighbourhoods where matches are on, so they stop spending there too. Add it up, and a city can end up with *less* going on, not more. 💡 ****Did you know?** When economists later crunched the 1994 tournament (yes, the Chicago one), they estimated US host cities took a collective hit of as much as ****$9.3bn**. The World Cup didn't make them money. It cost them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/image-6.png) ### Will this time be different? One thing genuinely is different in 2026: the US isn't building new stadiums for these games. That matters enormously, because new stadiums are where host nations usually set fire to the most cash. Qatar and Russia poured billions into shiny new infrastructure that had little use once the party ended. America is reusing what it already has, and the federal government is chipping in **$625m** to help cities cover their World Cup costs — a fraction of what those previous hosts spent. So the downside may be capped this time. But notice the pattern underneath all of it: the World Cup reliably makes money **for FIFA**. Whether it makes money for a host *city* is a far shakier bet, and it hinges almost entirely on how much that city spends to throw the party. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes, A&O Shearman lead on PE Food Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-a-o-shearman-lead-on-pe-food-deal/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T20:37:09.000Z **In Short:** The UK's competition regulator has softened its stance on Associated British Foods' planned takeover of rival bread-maker Hovis, provisionally finding that the deal is unlikely to harm competition in Northern Ireland. A final decision is due by 24 June. **What is the deal?** Associated British Foods PLC, owner of the Kingsmill brand through its struggling Allied Bakeries division, wants to buy Hovis from private equity firm Endless LLP. The financial terms have not been made public. If it goes through, the deal would bring Kingsmill, Hovis and Sunblest under one roof, creating one of the biggest players in branded bread in Britain. The sticking point has been the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which has been scrutinising whether combining two big bread brands would leave shoppers worse off. Its focus landed squarely on Northern Ireland and a handful of very specific products: plant bread, pancakes, potato farls and soda farls. The CMA has now changed its tune. Having initially worried the merger could weaken competition, it has provisionally concluded the deal is unlikely to cause a problem, partly because it now thinks Allied Bakeries might shrink or pull out of Northern Ireland anyway, with or without the merger. AB Foods, for its part, argues the acquisition is the only realistic way to build a profitable, investable bakery business. **Key Legal Points to discuss in applications & interviews:** 1. **The "substantial lessening of competition" test:** This is the heart of UK merger control. When the CMA reviews a deal, it is not asking whether a merger is good or bad in some general sense. It is asking a narrower question: will the deal result in a substantial lessening of competition, often shortened to an SLC? If the answer is yes, the regulator can block the deal or demand changes. Here the CMA has provisionally found no SLC in the relevant Northern Irish markets, which is exactly the conclusion AB Foods needs to get the deal over the line. 2. **The counterfactual and the "exiting firm" argument:** This is why the CMA changed its mind, and it is genuinely clever. To judge a merger, regulators compare two pictures: the market with the deal, and the market without it. That second picture is called the counterfactual. The trick is that the counterfactual is not always "everything stays as it is today". Here the CMA now believes Allied Bakeries would likely shrink further or leave Northern Ireland regardless. If that division is going to fade away anyway, then the merger does not really make competition worse, because the rivalry was disappearing either way. This is sometimes called the exiting firm or failing firm scenario, and it can rescue a deal that would otherwise face objections. 3. **How narrowly markets get defined:** Notice that the CMA did not look at "bread" as one giant national market. It zeroed in on plant bread, pancakes, potato farls and soda farls, specifically in Northern Ireland. This is market definition in action, and it matters enormously. The narrower the market a regulator draws, the more likely a deal looks like it concentrates power, because there are fewer players to count. Potato bread and soda bread are local staples in Northern Ireland, so competition there gets assessed on its own terms rather than being lost in the UK-wide picture. For anyone interested in competition law, this is a neat example of how the boundaries of a market can shape the entire outcome. **Who is advising on this?** - **A&O Shearman** is advising Associated British Foods on the transaction, with **Macfarlanes LLP** handling competition matters for the company. - **Walker Morris LLP** is advising Endless and Hovis, with **Freshfields LLP** providing antitrust counsel to those companies. ### Morgan Lewis advises on $30M Pharma Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-advises-on-30m-pharma-deal/ Last updated: 2026-06-08T09:51:18.000Z It's a huge deal part of a major US expansion strategy. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### RPC, CMS face off in airplane insurance claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/rpc-cms-face-off-in-airplane-insurance-claim/ Last updated: 2026-06-08T09:47:30.000Z The Court has blocked millions from the insurers. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-tc-application-insider/ Last updated: 2026-06-08T14:54:35.000Z Have you ever wondered what a successful Slaughter and May cover letter looks like? If so, you're in the right place. **What is in this Insider:** - A **successful** Slaughter and May covering letter, start to finish - Colour-coded annotations showing what every paragraph is doing, and why it works - A clear breakdown of what Slaughters is really looking for in a letter - The underlying structure, so you can build your own letter on the same foundation - Firm-specific context and commercial detail you can draw on straight away **Deadline: 3 July** ### **Successful Application with Feedback** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### RPC - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/rpc-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-06-07T16:43:00.000Z Here's how you can ace your **RPC TC** application. **Deadline:** 22 June This report contains 👇 - An **RPC TC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what makes it stand out **Questions covered** - In what ways do you see yourself as ‘strikingly real’, and how does that connect with your motivation to apply here and your confidence in succeeding? ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morgan Lewis - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-06-10T21:23:26.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Morgan Lewis TC** application. **Deadline:** 19 June This report contains 👇 - A **Morgan Lewis TC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what makes it stand out **Questions covered** - Why have you applied to Morgan Lewis? What do you think are the skills and attributes you possess that distinguish you from other applicants? Max 300 words. - Discuss a news story that interests you. What do you think are the implications for a law firm like Morgan Lewis? Max 300 words. - How do you ensure that you are a valued member of the team? Please provide an example where you have been able to contribute to the team’s success. Max 300 words. - Providing an exceptional client service is at the core of everything we do. Please provide an example of a time you have delivered exceptional client service. Max 300 words. - Please provide details of your interests and extra-curricular activities, including any positions of responsibility you have held at school, university or otherwise, and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of. ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Giga-IPOs are coming URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/giga-ipos-are-coming/ Last updated: 2026-06-04T09:27:22.000Z Good morning, ZipLawyer! - Will the SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI IPOs break the market? - Why does Candy Crush hate pop-ups? - Sullivan & Cromwell lead on $8.5 billion deal - RPC secures trade mark case win --- ## Record IPOs are Coming ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/Graphics--23-.png) ### What's going on? Three mega-companies, going public at once: - **SpaceX** — reportedly wants to raise \~$75bn, trading on Nasdaq from mid-June. - **Anthropic**— filed its draft paperwork on 1 June. - **OpenAI** — expected to file soon. The two AI labs are *rumoured* to want around $60bn each. Add it all up and the trio is chasing roughly $200bn, which could pile up to $4trn onto the value of the US stock market in a matter of months. **Did you know?** The old IPO record was Saudi Aramco in 2019 at about $29bn. These three want nearly seven times that between them. ❓ ****IPO** \= the first time a private company sells shares to the public so anyone can buy a slice on a stock exchange. ### Wait, so why is everyone freaking out? When a company joins a big stock market index, every tracker fund that copies that index is basically *forced* to buy it. There are trillions sitting in those funds. **So the worry goes:** these three giants get fast-tracked in, everyone buys at once, the buyers have no money left… and then what? ❓ ****Tracker fund** \= a fund that simply copies an index (like the S&P 500) and buys whatever's in it. Millions of people's pensions sit in these. When the index adds a company, all these funds buy it on autopilot. ### So… can the market actually handle it? Easily. And here's the trick that never makes the headline. 🪄 Indices don't weight a company by what it's worth. They weight it by its **free float** — only the shares actually floating around for the public to trade. Watch what that does to the maths: - SpaceX wants a $1.75trn valuation but is only floating \~$75bn of shares. That's about 4% of the company. - So its starting weight in the S&P 500? Roughly 0.1%. A rounding error. The whole US market (the Russell 3000) is worth around $79trn. Dropping $200bn into it is like pouring a pint into a swimming pool. ### What about the other shares? All the other shares are '**locked-up shares'** and they get released slowly. ❓ ****Lock-up** \= a promise that insiders won't dump their shares for a set period after the IPO. It stops a day-one flood that would tank the price. The catch: that flood just arrives later, in waves. SpaceX is reportedly drip-feeding them: Musk's huge stake is frozen for 366 days, other insiders can start selling after the first set of results, and more unlocks later or once the price hits certain levels. And buying into hot IPOs has a brutal track record. Stocks listed between 1980 and 2024 returned about 20% *less* than the market over the following three years, on average. The really pricey ones - valued at over 40 times their sales - lagged by a painful 58%. SpaceX would start trading at over **90 times** its revenue... ### Must-Know Trend For years, the market ran on a sweet setup. Shares were scarce, because big tech kept buying back its own shares. And money was everywhere, because savers kept piling in. Scarce supply plus huge demand equals prices go up. Lovely. That's now flipping: - Big tech is slowing the buybacks — they'd rather burn the cash building AI. - Some are borrowing in the bond market on top. - And now the new giants are turning up to grab cash from the stock market too. So shares are about to get *more* abundant just as the easy money tightens. A "capital diet," if you like. ❓ ****Buyback** \= a company spending its cash to buy and delete its own shares, leaving fewer to go around (which props up the price). Reverse that, and you get the opposite effect. **The problem?** The US market is now basically one giant AI bet. The ten biggest AI-linked companies already make up around 40% of the S&P 500\. Add three more AI giants, and that "diversified" pension you own quietly becomes… mostly one big wager on AI working out. And the cruel irony: the everyday workers whose retirement savings hold this market up are the same people AI might automate out of a job 🫠 ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Burges Salmon advises on £40 million pension deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/burges-salmon-advises-on-40-million-pension-deal/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T18:10:23.000Z This is part of a growing trend in pension deals. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### RPC leads on Frasers Trade Mark Win URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/rpc-leads-on-frasers-trade-mark-win/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T18:05:37.000Z A big win for Frasers. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sullivan & Cromwell, Mayer Brown lead on Berkshire Hathaway $8.5 billion deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sullivan-cromwell-mayer-brown-lead-on-berkshire-hathaway-8-5-billion-deal/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T18:02:32.000Z Gibson Dunn, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett are also advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Faegre Drinker - Application Insider (Summer Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/faegre-drinker-application-insider-summer-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-06-04T17:04:01.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Faegre Drinker Vac Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Faegre Drinker Vac Scheme** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what makes it stand out **Questions covered** - What attracts you to this firm? - Please give brief details of any interests including hobbies and sports. - Please provide any additional information that you think is relevant. ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Anthropic's $1tn IPO URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/anthropics-1tn-ipo/ Last updated: 2026-06-02T07:54:23.000Z Good morning, ZipLawyer! **Today’s top stories** - Anthropic confidentially filed for a $1tn-plus IPO, setting up a blockbuster listing race with OpenAI and SpaceX. - Iran-US talks on pause - Morgan Lewis leads on a huge crypto deal and a top case --- ### Trillion-Dollar Beauty Contest ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/Graphics--20-.png) **What’s going on:** Anthropic has reportedly confidentially filed for an IPO that could value the AI company at more than $1tn. The move comes after a huge funding round valuing the company at around $900bn before the new investment. It also puts Anthropic in a three-way race with OpenAI and SpaceX, both of which are also moving towards major public listings. **Why it matters:** This could become one of the biggest IPO waves ever. More importantly, it shows AI companies moving from private-market excitement into public-market accountability. Once these companies list, investors will expect clear disclosure on revenue, profitability, risk, governance, regulation, cybersecurity and the huge infrastructure costs behind AI. **The legal angle:** This is not just work for capital markets lawyers. Tech teams will advise on cloud, licensing, data and customer contracts. Regulatory lawyers will focus on AI safety, governance and disclosure. Competition teams will examine market power and strategic partnerships. Energy and infrastructure lawyers may also be pulled in because AI data centres need enormous amounts of electricity, land and grid access. **What to say in applications:** Anthropic’s reported IPO shows how AI is becoming a serious public markets story. Law firms will not only advise on the listing process, but also on the broader risks behind the business: regulation, governance, cybersecurity, commercial dependencies and infrastructure pressure. --- ### 5 Top Stories ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/06/image-1-1.png) Credit: Photographer: Kawant Haju/AFP/Getty Images 🇺🇸 Negotiations between Iran and the US have reportedly been suspended following Israel’s expanded ground assault in Lebanon. Oil prices rose and stocks fell after the reports emerged. 🇺🇦 Ukraine reportedly launched a record number of attacks against Russian oil assets last month. Russia has now banned jet fuel exports until the end of November to avoid shortages. ⚡️ AI infrastructure is consuming vast amounts of electricity, raising concerns about grid pressure, energy prices and carbon emissions. 🤖 Anthropic is reportedly allowing EU officials to test Mythos, its new AI model that can be programmed to exploit computer vulnerabilities, before wider release. 🇲🇦 Morocco has reportedly overtaken South Africa as Africa’s most industrialised economy, helped by investment aimed at diversifying production. --- ### From the ZipTracker _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morgan Lewis, DAC advise on $40 million plane claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-dac-advise-on-40-million-plane-claim/ Last updated: 2026-06-04T09:28:15.000Z The aircraft giant has decided to settle its claim with its insurers. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morgan Lewis leads on $4 billion Crypto Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-leads-on-4-billion-crypto-deal/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T17:52:11.000Z A huge deal for tokenized securities. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Clyde & Co - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/clyde-co-ac-insider-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T15:18:17.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Clyde & Co** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dechert - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dechert-ac-insider-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T15:14:13.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Dechert** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trowers & Hamlins - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/trowers-hamlins-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T15:07:30.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Trowers & Hamlins Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Trowers & Hamlins. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Greenberg Traurig - Application Insider (Training Contract) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/greenberg-traurig-application-insider-training-contract/ Last updated: 2026-06-04T16:35:54.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Greenberg Traurig TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Greenberg Traurig TC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made the application stand out **The Cover Letter covers:** - Why commercial law? - Why Greenberg Traurig? - Why you? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells - Application Insider (Summer Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-application-insider-summer-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T14:59:19.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Hogan Lovells Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Hogan Lovells Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role. - Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dechert - Application Insider (Summer Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dechert-application-insider-summer-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T14:56:41.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Dechert Summer Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Dechert Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made it stand out **Questions covered** - Please outline the skills you possess that make you well-suited to a career as a commercial solicitor and explain why you believe this makes Dechert the right firm for you to develop your career. - Please describe a challenging situation you have faced and explain how you approached it. What do you believe was critical to your ability to overcome the challenge? - Please tell us about your non-academic activities and interests, highlighting any positions of responsibility held and achievements you are especially proud of. - If applicable, please state any additional information which you think is relevant to your application or which you think has not been covered adequately in this form. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Skadden - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/skadden-application-insider-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-06-04T17:23:17.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Skadden Vac Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Skadden application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made it stand out **Questions covered** - What are your reasons for applying to Skadden? 250 words. - If you could choose a career other than law, what would you choose? 250 words. - Please choose a recent, less than 12 months, development in UK/European news. How are such developments relevant for Skadden’s clients? 250 words. - Tell us about your interests and inspirations outside of education/work. 250 words. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Weil Gotshal & Manges - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/weil-gotshal-manges-ac-insider-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T15:15:52.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Weil** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fried Frank, Sidley guide $1.5 Events Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fried-frank-sidley-guide-1-5-events-deal/ Last updated: 2026-05-29T16:15:59.000Z Gibson Dunn is also advising on this. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why UK M&A is Booming URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-uk-m-a-is-booming/ Last updated: 2026-05-29T09:18:33.000Z UK politics is full of drama at the moment. That means businesses are spooked, and investment confidence is low. So you would expect M&A activity to be in the gutter, *right*? **Wrong**. The opposite is happening... UK dealmaking is **up more than 250%** this year and on track for its best showing in over a decade, with international buyers queuing up to snap up some of the UK's top companies. **💡 Today we discuss what is actually going on, why it matters, and what it means for the Law Firms and their clients.** ****Want to stand out in your Macfarlanes TC application?** We are running our first ****Application Masterclass** on Saturday 6 June. We'll run through a successful application and show you how to draft a stand out application. [Get your ticket ](https://luma.com/2pjwra3m?ref=ziplaw.uk) ### What's going on? M&A targeting UK companies is running at around **$150 billion this year**, more than 250% up on the same period in 2025\. It is the highest level at this point in the year since 2015. And there have been some huge deals: - **Unilever** combined its food business, including Hellmann's mayonnaise and Knorr stock cubes, to US spice maker McCormick for $44.8 billion. - Asset manager **Schroders** agreed a near £10 billion sale to US investment firm Nuveen. - **Engie** is buying the UK's largest power-distribution network for £10.5 billion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/05/image-10.png) ### Why is this happening? Three things are driving the boom. **💸 First, UK stocks are genuinely cheap.** The FTSE 100 looks cheap compared with Europe and the US. To an American buyer sitting on a strong dollar and an expensive home market, a quality UK business looks like a bargain. The discount has been there for years, but the gap is now wide enough that strategic buyers and private equity firms are both prepared to act on it. **🌍 Second, UK-listed does not mean UK-exposed.** Most FTSE 100 companies are global businesses that happen to have a London listing. A buyer acquiring Unilever's food arm is not really buying a bet on Britain; they are buying Hellmann's, Knorr and a portfolio of brands sold in over a hundred countries. The same logic applies to companies like Schroders, Intertek and Tate & Lyle. **🤗 Third, Britain is unusually *open*.** Compared to France, Germany or Italy, the UK has historically had a lighter touch on foreign takeovers and fewer protectionist reflexes. National Security and Investment Act reviews exist, but they are not a big blocker. Combined with cheap valuations and global revenue, this makes the UK the path of least resistance for cross-border consolidation. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes TC 2028 - Application Masterclass URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-tc-2028-application-masterclass/ Last updated: 2026-05-28T11:05:07.000Z ​In this one-hour live session, we cover what it takes to stand out in a Macfarlanes training contract application for the 2028 intake. ​**Plan of the session:** - ​What Macfarlanes is really looking for - ​Key points you need to know, from our Macfarlanes Playbook - ​A run-through of a successful application, with feedback on how to answer their questions - ​Live Q&A [Get your ticket](https://luma.com/2pjwra3m?ref=ziplaw.uk) **IMPORTANT:** ZipLaw+ members get tickets for £10 instead of £25! If you are a ZipLaw+ member, scroll to the bottom of this post to find the discount link 😄 ​**Session plan** ​We start with what the firm is genuinely looking for and the key points you need to know about the firm and its practice, drawn from our Macfarlanes Playbook. We then run through a real successful application question by question, with practical feedback on how to approach each one. ​We focus on the key question: "If someone were to read your story so far, what would make them think, 'This person belongs at Macfarlanes'?" We break down what a strong answer to this actually does, why most attempts fall flat, and how to write about fit without sounding generic or over-rehearsed. ​The session ends with live Q&A, so bring your questions about the form, the firm, or the wider application. ​**Who it is for:** Students and graduates applying to Macfarlanes for the 2028 training contract intake, whether you are starting from scratch or refining a draft. ### **⭐ ZipLaw+ Members Discount** Just click the button below and you'll be able to get your ticket at an exclusive ZipLaw+ member price of £10 instead of £25! [ZipLaw+ Discount Ticket](https://luma.com/2pjwra3m?coupon=ZLMF10&ref=ziplaw.uk) ### Macfarlanes - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-28T10:10:52.000Z Do you want to ace your **Macfarlanes TC** application? This Application Insider contains 👇 - A **successful Macfarlanes** **TC application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer stand out **⏱️ Deadline:** 26 June **Question covered** - ***If someone were to read your story so far, what would make them think, ‘This person belongs at Macfarlanes’?*** ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith, Osborne Clarke lead on take-private deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-osborne-clarke-lead-on-take-private-deal/ Last updated: 2026-05-19T16:39:37.000Z This founder is taking his company private at 15% of its IPO value. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### TLT, Bird & Bird steer franchisees in £85M Vodafone trial battle URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/tlt-bird-bird-steer-franchisees-in-85m-vodafone-trial-battle/ Last updated: 2026-05-19T16:41:51.000Z Sixty-two Vodafone franchisees suing the telecoms giant for £85 million. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Watson Farley & Williams - Application Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/watson-farley-williams-application-insider-training-contract-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-19T16:25:59.000Z WFW's TC deadline closes **24 May**. **In this Insider:** One strong application. Annotated with our expert feedback so you can see exactly what WFW graduate recruitment is looking for, and where most candidates fall flat. **Questions covered:** - Which one of our core sectors interests you the most and why? - Describe an experience where you encountered an unexpected obstacle. How did you deal with this and what did you learn from it? - Provide an example of when you collaborated with others to reach a goal, and outline the role you played to support the team. - Describe a time when you received constructive feedback. How did you respond? ### Application with Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Weil leads on Blackstone e-commerce buy URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/weil-leads-on-blackstone-e-commerce-buy/ Last updated: 2026-05-17T17:17:27.000Z A top deal for a greek e-commerce business. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How Labour's leadership crisis impacts Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-labours-leadership-crisis-impacts-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-05-16T08:00:31.000Z A Labour administration elected just eighteen months ago on a promise of stability is now consumed by a leadership crisis. This story is dominating law firms and client's board rooms right now. You need to know it impacts both to impress in your applications and interviews. That's what we're here for! ### What's happening? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/05/Untitled-design.png) Labour suffered heavy losses in the recent local and devolved elections. Now people and MPs are asking if Starmer is the right man for the job. **Can they replace him?** Under Labour Party rules, a leadership contest can be triggered if **20% of Labour MPs** nominate a challenger or if the leader resigns. But Starmer is refusing to step aside. Whoever wins the party leadership automatically becomes Prime Minister, because the PM is whoever can command a majority in the Commons. **Who could replace Starmer?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/05/image-9.png) Wes Streeting (left), Andy Burnham (right) - **Wes Streeting**, the now-former health secretary, resigned from cabinet but stopped short of launching a formal leadership bid. He has since publicly backed Burnham's by-election campaign, though not (yet) Burnham as a potential PM. - **Andy Burnham**, the Greater Manchester mayor, is standing in the Makerfield by-election - a Wigan constituency where the sitting Labour MP, Josh Simons, stood down to clear the path. Burnham needs a Commons seat to mount a leadership bid (a by-election being a one-off vote to fill a single vacant seat), and even that is not a given: Reform UK crushed Labour in the area at the local elections. All of the above is great drama, but *terrible* for a government that promised stability now looking anything but. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Covington & Burling leads on fake Ozempic case URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/covington-burling-leads-on-fake-ozempic-case/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T16:51:39.000Z A great case to discuss in your Covington application. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BCLP Playbook (Direct TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-playbook-direct-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T11:42:12.000Z Want to ace your **BCLP TC** Application? Here's all the research you need to impress. This Playbook covers: - What is BCLP’s strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is BCLP boosting and why? - BCLP's opportunities and challenges - How are its financials doing Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️**Deadline:** 31 May --- ### 🧠 **Practice Area Strategy** **In short:** BCLP is doubling down on what it does best: **real estate, finance, private capital, disputes and sector-led work**. The firm’s strategy is not about trying to be the loudest global megafirm in every area. It is about using its real estate platform as the launchpad for higher-value work across key sectors. **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Travers Smith - Application Insider (Training Contract) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/travers-smith-application-insider-training-contract/ Last updated: 2026-05-13T20:00:15.000Z Do you want to ace your **Travers Smith TC** application? This Insider contains 👇 - A **successful Travers Smith TC application** A Cover Letter, and answers to: - **Interests and achievements** - **Please give details of any positions of responsibility and achievements or awards at school, university or elsewhere** **Deadline:** 29 May ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BCLP - Application Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-application-insider-training-contract-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-13T16:02:10.000Z Here's how you can ace your **BCLP Training Contract** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **BCLP Training Contract application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - What do you find attractive about BCLP's sectors/departments and which area(s) are you interested in having exposure to in your Training Contract and why? - What is your understanding of how a business generates and maintains a profit? (Please provide examples) - Please describe a time where you have received constructive feedback? How did you react and how did you utilise this feedback to ensure your own positive self-development? - Please describe a time where you showed courage in the face of adversity. What was the situation and how did you react? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Wiggin Playbook (Direct TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/wiggin-playbook-direct-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-13T09:00:19.000Z **Wiggin's** TC deadline is closing soon. Now is the perfect time to submit your application. In this Playbook we're covering: 🧠 Wiggin's Practice Area Strategy 📰 News trends impacting Wiggins 🌍 Office and Growth 💼 Top Clients and Deals 🔎 How to Stand Out **Deadline:** 22 May --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Wiggin is building around sectors being reshaped by digital disruption. Media, sport, gaming and technology are increasingly overlapping, and the firm’s strategy is to sit where intellectual property, regulation, monetisation and platform risk all collide. ### Media and entertainment ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/05/Graphics--13-.png) **What is changing in this market?** Content businesses today are valued like digital-platform businesses rather than traditional production companies. Their value comes not just from films, programmes or podcasts themselves, but from audience ownership, licensing rights, subscriber communities and monetisable intellectual property. This reflects a wider shift across the entertainment industry. Streaming platforms, creator-led brands and sports media businesses are competing aggressively for audience attention and advertising revenue, while investors view strong IP portfolios as scalable commercial assets. **Why is this a focus for Wiggin?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BCLP leads $2B eletrical buy-out URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-leads-2b-eletrical-buy-out/ Last updated: 2026-05-13T09:00:12.000Z Willkie Farr & Gallagher is also advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morgan Lewis, Bird & Bird advise on video licence dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-bird-bird-advise-on-video-licence-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-05-12T18:17:44.000Z A must-know case between two tech giants. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith Playbook (Direct TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-playbook-direct-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-08T08:30:34.000Z Reed Smith just launched their **direct TC**. It's a unique opportunity for you to secure a TC at a top global law firm. In this **Playbook** we've got all the research you need to **impress them** including: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🌍 Office and Growth 💼 Top Clients and Deals 🔎 How to Stand Out **Deadline:** 27 May (*get your app in ASAP*) --- ### **Must-Know** - Reed Smith is doubling down on private capital (private equity, finance, public markets) - It is expanding into markets where capital is flowing (US growth cities and Saudi Arabia) - It is building a model that combines transactions, regulation and disputes ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/05/Graphics--10-.png) ### What Reed Smith is looking for Strong candidates will show they understand three things: - How private equity and finance are driving deal flow - Why regulated sectors like financial services, energy and life sciences need integrated legal advice - How firms build long-term client relationships by combining transactions with regulatory and disputes capability Everything in your application should connect back to this. --- ### Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Reed Smith is building around private capital and regulated sectors. Transactions generate work, but regulation and disputes make those relationships long-term and more valuable. ### Private capital Reed Smith’s clearest priority is **private capital**. 💡 ****Did you know?** "Private capital" covers private equity (funds buying companies) and private credit (funds lending to them) - i.e. money deployed outside public stock and bond markets. In its 2025 results, the firm highlighted private equity and finance as some of its busiest areas. More importantly, its recent office launches reflect that focus. The Boston office was built around private equity, M&A and fund formation, while Atlanta and Denver were also developed with strong sponsor-side and finance capability. **This aligns with a broader market shift.** As traditional bank lending becomes more constrained, private equity and private credit are playing a larger role in financing transactions. Clients therefore need advice not just on deals, but on financing structures, regulatory issues and post-deal risk. Reed Smith is positioning itself across that full lifecycle. It's not just targeting transactions, it is embedding itself in how capital is raised, deployed and managed. **💡 Say this to impress:** “*Reed Smith’s expansion into US growth markets suggests it is targeting sponsor-led deal flow, particularly in private equity and private credit, while building capability across the full capital lifecycle.*” ### Public markets: time to adapt While IPO activity has been uneven, Reed Smith’s approach to public markets shows it sees this as a big opportunity. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fried Frank, Sullivan & Cromwell guide Amazon Satellite Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fried-frank-sullivan-cromwell-guide-amazon-satellite-deal/ Last updated: 2026-05-07T14:36:15.000Z Skadden and Paul Weiss are also advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simmons, Ashurst guide top ingredients deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simmons-ashurst-guide-top-ingredients-deal/ Last updated: 2026-05-05T10:43:24.000Z A big deal for the food and beverage industry. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May leads on Vodafone £4.3 billion Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-leads-on-vodafone-4-3-billion-deal/ Last updated: 2026-05-05T10:33:46.000Z Vodafone is buying out CK Hutchison’s 49% stake in their UK telecoms joint venture. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sullivan & Cromwell - Application Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sullivan-cromwell-application-insider-training-contract-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-05T11:45:13.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Sullivan & Cromwell Training Contract** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Sullivan & Cromwell** **TC application** answering the question below - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer stand out and tips for your application **⏱️ Deadline:** 12 June ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sullivan & Cromwell - AC Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sullivan-cromwell-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-05-05T11:46:55.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the S**ullivan & Cromwell TC** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Wiggin advises on drug patent claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/wiggin-advises-on-drug-patent-claim/ Last updated: 2026-04-26T10:13:12.000Z Extending patent protection is key for Wiggin's client. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Orrick, Dentons face off in £5M Map Data Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/orrick-dentons-face-off-in-5m-map-data-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-04-26T10:06:18.000Z This involves a complex licensing deal and millions of pounds in royalties. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells - Application Insider (Direct TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-application-insider-direct-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T14:00:03.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Hogan Lovells TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Hogan Lovells TC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role. - Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Wedlake Bell - Playbook (2028 TC) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/wedlake-bell-playbook-2028-tc/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T09:33:07.000Z Do you want a **TC** at **Wedlake Bell**? Our Playbook gives you all the insights you need to impress! **This Playbook covers:** 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🌍 Office and Growth 📊 Wedlake vs Competitors 💼 Top Clients and Deals 🔎 How to Stand Out **Deadline:** 1 May --- ## Wedlake's Top 5 Practice Areas Here's a breakdown of the firm's 4 key practice areas and how to discuss these in an application or interview to impress Wedklake. ### 🎨 Art & Luxury - the crown jewel This is Wedlake Bell's most distinctive practice and its strongest brand. No other mid-market City firm has anything comparable. The team holds **Band 1 in Chambers UK and Chambers HNW for Art and Cultural Property Law** and is ranked **Tier 1 by Legal 500** \- the highest possible rankings in both directories. **Who do they advise?** Led jointly by **Rudy Capildeo** and **Tim Maxwell** (both individually ranked Band 1), the practice advises private collectors, galleries, museums, financial institutions, famous street artists, and governments on the full lifecycle of art and luxury assets: purchase and sale, financing, import/export, restitution claims, heritage protection, and disputes. **What do they advise on?** The scope goes well beyond paintings. Capildeo has a strong client base in classic cars, fine violins, fine wine, and yachts, and is a specialist in luxury asset financing and using luxury assets as financial commodities. Maxwell handles non-contentious sales and the financing aspects of art deals. Petra Warrington leads on complex art disputes and transactions. 📈 **Top hires for growth:** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/04/image-8.png) - In April 2025, the firm appointed **Clarissa Levi** as Art & Heritage Consultant, a hire that drew industry attention. Levi spent 11 years at Sotheby's as a Senior Director and previously trained at Allen & Overy and worked at Charles Russell Speechlys. Her practice spans ownership and disposal of cultural assets, tax incentives for heritage property, and UK export controls for cultural objects, plugging directly into the tax and succession planning needs of HNW collectors. - In March 2026, **Rebecca Christie** joined from Fladgate as a partner spanning both the family and art & luxury teams, creating a dual specialism that bridges two of the firm's most important private client offerings. In October 2024, **Elizabeth Scandrett** joined to strengthen the contentious side, handling disputes across creative industries. The team also won **Art Law Team of the Year** at the Chambers HNW Awards 2024, was shortlisted again for 2026, and was featured in the **Spear's Legal Advisers Index 2025**. **💡 How to use this in your application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### TLT - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/tlt-application-insider/ Last updated: 2026-04-19T18:26:26.000Z Here's how you can ace your **TLT TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **TLT TC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - The TLT values are at the core of everything we do. Which of TLT’s 5 values are most important when working with our clients? (max 250 words) - The legal landscape is always changing and at TLT we value lawyers who are future ready. (max 250 words) - By having a sector approach, TLT is able to advise clients on the markets in which they operate as well as their own business needs. What recent work in one of our sectors have you found interesting and why? (max 250 words) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### TLT - AC Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/tlt-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-04-19T18:21:29.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **TLT Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress TLT. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-application-insider-tc/ Last updated: 2026-04-19T10:28:57.000Z Here's how you can ace your **White & Case TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **White & Case TC application** - **Expert feedback** on what made it stand out - How to structure your answer to impress W&C **Questions covered** - Discuss a deal that White & Case has advised on in the last two years. What do you think were the strategic considerations and complexities involved, and how did the firm navigate them? **⏰ Deadline:** 10 May ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes - Assessment Centre Insider (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-assessment-centre-insider-2026-vacation-scheme-copy/ Last updated: 2026-05-04T11:26:21.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **Macfarlanes** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Skadden - Assessment Centre Insider (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/skadden-assessment-centre-insider-2026-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-04-16T10:14:59.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **Skadden** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Burges Salmon - Assessment Centre Insider (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/burges-salmon-assessment-centre-insider-2026-vacation-scheme-copy/ Last updated: 2026-04-16T10:14:08.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **Burges Salmon** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HSF Kramer - Assessment Centre Insider (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hsf-kramer-assessment-centre-insider-2026-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-04-16T10:11:13.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **HSF Kramer** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Wedlake Bell leads on £15M Picasso claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/we/ Last updated: 2026-04-15T18:13:35.000Z Wedlake Bell is facing off with Clyde & Co on this case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why did Trump Block the Strait of Hormuz? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-did-trump-block-the-strait-of-hormuz/ Last updated: 2026-04-14T14:14:08.000Z Over the weekend, negotiations talks between the US and Iran failed. So Trump imposed a full naval blockade of Iran's southern coastline. Starting Monday 10am New York time. No ships in or out of Iranian ports without the US Navy's say-so. **Here's all you need to know plus what it means for Law Firms.** --- **Why does this matter?** The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow strip of water between Iran and Oman. About **20% of the world's oil** passes through it every single day. It is the most important chokepoint in global energy. Iran has been using it as leverage ever since the US-Israeli strikes began in late February. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/04/image-7.png) **What is Trump trying to do?** Trump's blockade is his attempt to flip that leverage. The idea is that if Iran is using the strait to fund its war effort through oil exports, cut the exports off and destroy their revenue stream. But there's already a gap between Trump's rhetoric and reality. His social media post said "*any and all ships*" in the strait. The actual US military order is narrower: it only covers vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas. Neutral ships that haven't called at Iran won't be blocked, though they may be searched for contraband. **How has Iran responded?** The Revolutionary Guards said any military vessels approaching the strait would be treated as a ceasefire violation. Tehran threatened to target all ports in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman if its own shipping hubs are threatened. **But there's some hint of diplomacy.** Iran is reportedly considering a short-term pause on its own shipments to avoid testing the blockade and keep fresh peace talks alive. If confirmed, that's a de-escalation signal. **Who is feeling the pain?** Asia is bearing the worst of it. Countries that had started buying Iranian oil under a US waiver now find that waiver effectively torn up. Iran had actually been selling crude at a premium (not its usual discount) thanks to that waiver, so the blockade kills a revenue stream worth hundreds of millions since the war started. And US crude isn't a like-for-like replacement for Middle Eastern grades, meaning the supply gap is harder to fill than Trump implies. ### **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Watson Farley & Williams - Playbook (2028 TC) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/watson-farley-williams-playbook-2028-tc/ Last updated: 2026-04-09T11:06:48.000Z Want to get a **TC** at **Watson Farley & Williams**? Our Playbook gives you all the insights you need to impress! This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🌍 Office and Growth 📊 WFW vs Competitors 💼 Top Clients and Deals 🔎 How to Stand Out **Deadline:** 24 May --- ### 3 Key Sectors driving WFW's growth **In short:** WFW differentiates itself through a **sector-first model** rather than a service-line-led approach. The firm organises all its work around three core sectors, each with dedicated global leadership. ### ⚡ Energy - the growth engine This is **WFW's** crown jewel, its **fastest-growing practice** and the area getting the most investment. Global Head Henry Stewart leads a team spanning oil and gas, power and renewables, mining, and commodities. The numbers back up the hype: WFW ranked first among legal advisers by deal count in Europe in inspiratia's 2025 rankings and second globally, locking in 20 first-place positions in Inframation league tables (up from 17 the year before). In Spain, they've been the top firm in project finance three years running, with 34 deals completed in 2025 alone. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/04/Graphics---2026-04-09T115410.155.png) 📈 **They're investing heavily here.** The standout move was a quadruple partner hire in Hong Kong in May 2025, WFW's biggest Asia-Pacific energy expansion since April 2024\. Three energy partners came over from DLA Piper: Carolyn Dong (formerly Head of Energy Sector China), Russell Wilkinson (formerly Head of Energy Asia), and Neil Macdonald. Then in December 2025, David Miles joined from Linklaters, bringing project finance and Islamic finance expertise that plugs straight into Middle East mega-projects. 🤝 **The deals speak for themselves.** The **NeXtWind €1.4 billion** syndicated loan (the largest of its kind in the German wind sector, with €1.3bn in accordion facilities) won PFI European Power Deal of the Year 2025\. WFW advised on over **€930 million in OX2** Finnish onshore wind financings. The Cleve Hill solar and battery storage project in Kent is the largest co-located scheme under construction in the UK and the first to be designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project. Then there's Simandou: the approximately **US$24 billion iron ore** development in Guinea, the world's largest mining project. **💡 How to use this in your Application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Watson Farley & Williams leads on £18bn procurement claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/watson-farley-williams-leads-on-18bn-procurement-claim/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T12:12:50.000Z Bevan Brittan is facing off with WFW on this case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) - AC Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/watson-farley-williams-wfw-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T12:03:23.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Watson Farley & Williams Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress WFW. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fried Frank - Application Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fried-frank-tc-application-insider/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T12:05:12.000Z This report contains 👇 - A **Fried Frank** **TC Application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Please describe an achievement of which you are most proud. What challenges did you face? - Please tell us why you believe commercial awareness is an important skill for a successful lawyer. - What challenges do you think Fried Frank’s clients are facing in respect to the changes in the UK economy and how can Fried Frank help them with these challenges? - Cover Letter ### Application and Feedback _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case - Playbook (TC 2028 and 2029) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-tc-playbook-2026/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T17:07:55.000Z Want to ace your **White & Case TC Application**? Here's all the research you need to impress. **This Playbook (3,327 words) covers:** - What is White & Case’s strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is White & Case boosting and why? - What do White & Case’s recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from White & Case’s financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ White & Case TC Deadline:** 10 May --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** White & Case is prioritising a few high-growth areas. Think private equity and M&A deals, the tech/IP sector, cross-border disputes, and ESG-driven work. **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case leads on Coca-Cola Trade Mark Win URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-leads-on-coca-cola-trade-mark-win/ Last updated: 2026-04-02T17:55:44.000Z It's all about trade marks in drinks here. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The 'Slow' M&A Market is breaking Records: Here's Why URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/the-slow-m-a-market-is-breaking-records-heres-why/ Last updated: 2026-04-01T11:38:24.000Z Most people think M&A is lying low right now. *They're wrong.* If you've been following the news lately, you'd be forgiven for thinking that big business is keeping its head down: - there's a war in the Middle East pushing oil above $100 a barrel; - AI is shaking up the software sector; and - it was only a year ago that Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcements sent markets into a tailspin. BUT here's the thing nobody's really talking about: the first three months of 2026 just produced the **busiest** dealmaking quarter in recorded history. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/04/image.png) **Wait... what's going on?** A total of **$1.2 trillion** worth of mergers and acquisitions were agreed globally in Q1 2026 (*that's a lot)*. There were 22 so-called "**megadeals**" agreed in just three months. A megadeal is any transaction valued above $10 billion. According to data from LSEG (the London Stock Exchange Group, 22 in a single quarter is a record. This is also the third consecutive quarter where global M&A has topped $1 trillion. In other words, this isn't a one-off, there's a clear trend here. **Must-Know Deals** To make this feel real, here are some of the biggest transactions that landed in Q1: - 🍲 Unilever sold its food division (think Marmite, Hellmann's, Knorr) to US spice giant McCormick, creating a combined business worth nearly $66 billion - 👩‍🍳 Sysco agreed to buy Jetro Restaurant Depot for $29 billion. Two names you might not know, but Sysco is one of the world's largest food distributors, supplying restaurants across the US - 🔋 Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT took energy provider AES private in a $33 billion deal. --- **Why is this suprising?** This is where it gets interesting, and where you'll have an edge over people who just skim the headlines. The conventional wisdom is that geopolitical uncertainty kills dealmaking. When there's conflict, when oil prices spike, when markets wobble, boards tend to go into what's called a "risk-off" mentality. That means: sit tight, don't make big bets, wait for clarity. That hasn't happened. **So what's driving deals instead?** A few things: **1\. Boardroom FOMO** When your competitors are acquiring and consolidating, staying still stops feeling like caution and starts feeling like a strategic failure. Boards are under real pressure to show shareholders and markets that they have a growth story, and in the current environment, organic growth alone isn't cutting it. The result is a self-reinforcing cycle: the more deals that get announced, the more pressure mounts on those who haven't moved yet. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/04/image-1.png) **2\. A deal-friendly regulatory environment** Under the Trump administration, US antitrust authorities (the bodies with the power to block deals on competition grounds) have been far less interventionist than they were under Biden. For CEOs who spent years watching deals collapse under regulatory scrutiny, that shift is a big deal. Experienced dealmakers will want to make the most of this. **3\. Depressed prices as a buying opportunity** This is the counterintuitive one. Market turbulence caused by the Middle East conflict has pushed some company valuations down, not because those businesses are fundamentally weaker, but because broader investor nervousness has dragged share prices with it. For a cash-rich buyer with a long-term view, that is exactly the moment to move. You are buying a quality asset at a discount created by macro conditions rather than any real issues in the business itself. --- **It's not all good news!** None of this means dealmaking is without risk. There are a few pressure points you need to know: **1\. The private equity machine is stalling.** Private equity firms (think investment funds that buy companies, improve them, and sell them for a profit) are sitting on a huge backlog of companies they haven't yet exited. The number of PE-backed deals was down 12% to a six-year low in Q1\. Despite the overall boom, the regular PE deal market is slower and more selective. **2\. Tech deals are struggling.** Technology is usually the single biggest sector for M&A. But with AI disrupting software company valuations and investors jittery about the sector's future, tech dealmaking is subdued. A slowdown in a sector this large has an outsized drag on overall deal volumes, which is why the record numbers may prove harder to sustain as the year progresses. **3\. Oil prices and private credit.** With oil above $100, the cost of everything goes up, and that hasn't fully fed through to the wider economy yet. Meanwhile, private credit (*i.e. the market where non-bank lenders provide financing for deals*) is showing signs of stress in its exposure to struggling software companies. Private credit has become an enormous source of deal financing over the past decade, so instability there matters. ### **What does this mean for Law Firms** *Here are the must-know trends and opportunities you need to know to impress law firms in your applications, interviews and ACs!* _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mayer Brown - Playbook (2028 TC) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mayer-brown-playbook-2028-tc/ Last updated: 2026-03-25T14:45:47.000Z Want to get a **TC** at **Mayer Brown**? Our Playbook gives you all the insights you need to impress! This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🌍 Office and Growth 📊 Financial Performance 💼 Top Clients and Deals 🔎 How to Stand Out **Deadline:** 31 March --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Mayer Brown's London and global strategy revolves around **five** priority practice areas, each backed by aggressive lateral hiring, rising rankings, and huge client deals. **💡 Below is your cheat sheet:** the five areas that matter most, why they matter, and exactly what to say in an application or interview to impress. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics--14-.png) Chair Jon Van Gorp (re-elected June 2024 for a second three-year term) said the firm is building "a more diversified, larger funnel of brands." ### 1\. 🏦 Banking and Finance - *the top practice* **What's happening:** This is Mayer Brown's strongest practice, globally and in London. The firm is the #1 most active law firm for securitisation in the US (that is, helping clients package loans and other assets into tradeable securities, 121 deals worth $93.2 billion in 2024). It holds top-tier rankings in asset-based lending (Tier 1, Legal 500, for 12 consecutive years) and trade finance. - **They are boosting this practice area:** In September 2025, David Miles and Philip Butler joined from Dechert, where they co-headed Global Leveraged Finance (lending used to fund acquisitions, typically for private equity buyers). Kevin Ng joined from White & Case in May 2025 as one of the City's leading corporate trustee specialists. **Why it matters:** Private credit (lending by non-bank institutions like investment funds, rather than traditional banks) has exploded as an asset class. Banks are increasingly sharing deal flow with these alternative lenders, creating demand for lawyers who understand both traditional bank lending and newer structures like buy-now-pay-later securitisation and sustainability-linked facilities. Mayer Brown's ability to act on both sides of this market, advising both lenders and the companies raising finance, gives it a structural advantage. The banking stress of 2023 (the collapses of SVB, Signature Bank, and Credit Suisse) also drove regulatory complexity and restructuring demand, further fuelling the practice. **💡 What to say:** *"Mayer Brown's work advising the lender syndicate on EUR 3.2 billion of financing for KKR's BNPL receivables portfolio stood out to me because it sits at the intersection of two major trends: the growth of private credit and the rise of fintech lending models. The fact that the firm simultaneously holds the #1 ranking for US securitisation and Tier 1 in UK asset-based lending tells me it can genuinely serve clients across the full capital structure."* ### 2.⚡ Energy and Infrastructure - *the growth area* _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mishcon de Reya leads on crypto fraud claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mishcon-de-reya-leads-on-crypto-fraud-claim/ Last updated: 2026-03-24T16:52:57.000Z The case revolves around the $4 billion OneCoin fraud. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashfords, Squire Patton Boggs face off in Shoe Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashfords-squire-patton-boggs-face-off-in-shoe-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-03-24T15:22:35.000Z Both companies ended up losing the claim in different ways. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashfords - Playbook (TC and Summer Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashfords-playbook-tc-and-summer-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-03-24T14:30:55.000Z Want to get a **TC or Summer Scheme** at **Ashfords**? Our Playbook gives you all the insights you need to impress! This Playbook covers: 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 🌍 Office and Growth 📊 Financial Performance 💼 Top Clients and Deals 🔎 How to Stand Out **Deadline:** 31 March --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Ashfords is doubling down on real estate, energy, technology, private wealth, and corporate M&A as the engine rooms of its £100m growth plan, backed by rising rankings across all five areas. **Details** In June 2025, CEO **Louise Workman**, now in her second four-year term, unveiled a five-year plan to grow revenue from £61m to **£100m by 2030**, representing roughly 64% growth. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics--9-.png) Louise Workman **Here's how Ashfords strategy is playing across 5 key practice areas.** ### 1\. ⚡ Energy - *the fastest-growing practice* **What's happening:** Ashfords advised Pennon Group on the acquisition of three solar PV projects (combined cost of approximately £85m) and AlphaReal on four solar and battery storage acquisitions worth over £150m. The firm hired **Rhiannon Morgan-Williams** from Simmons & Simmons to lead real estate work on renewable energy projects. **Why it matters:** The UK government's net zero targets require massive private investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Every solar farm, battery storage facility, and grid connection involves real estate, planning, construction, corporate, and regulatory law. Ashfords is positioning itself as the go-to firm for developers and investors navigating this pipeline. Legal 500 awarded a new Tier 1 ranking for Project/Energy/Natural Resources. **What to say:** *"Ashfords' work for Pennon on the £85m solar acquisition stood out to me because it shows how energy mandates pull in multiple practice areas at once: corporate, real estate, construction, and regulatory. The firm's decision to hire from Simmons & Simmons for this area tells me it's building a genuinely specialist capability, not just handling energy work opportunistically."* ### 2\. 💻 Tech, Data, and IP - *the key upgrade* _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The End of Electric Cars? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/the-end-of-electric-cars/ Last updated: 2026-03-24T10:10:15.000Z The electric car trend is failing. With lower investments and fading consumer demand, car makers are going back to traditional petrol cars and hybrids. **Today we cover why this is a big deal and how it impacts Law Firms and their clients.** **🎙️** Check out our latest **podcast episode** on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7CrDLOZWTe30SmCcI0pIP3?ref=ziplaw.uk), [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1883816900.?ref=ziplaw.uk) or your favourite podcast app. --- **What’s going on?** The electric car trend just hit reverse (*big time)*. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/image-23-1.png) 12 of the world's biggest carmakers have scaled back their EV ambitions in the past year, and the numbers are striking. - **Honda** abandoned its plan to go combustion-engine-free by 2040 last week, forecasting $16bn in losses from its EV strategy change. - **Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Stellantis**, and **Volvo** have cut all-electric targets. The total cost of cancelled launches and investment plans across the industry hit $75bn in the last year. **Luxury brands are done with EVs** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics--8-.png) **Rolls-Royce** announced this week it will keep selling its V12 petrol engine cars beyond 2030\. Bentley is extending plug-in hybrids beyond 2035\. Lamborghini has scrapped its first fully electric car entirely, the Lanzador, replacing it with a hybrid. Audi, Porsche, and Lotus have all quietly pushed back or diluted their all-electric timelines. **So what changed?** - 📉 First, **consumer demand**. Petrol and hybrid vehicles have continued to outsell EVs in key markets, and customers, particularly in the premium segment, have shown they're not ready to give up the internal combustion experience. - 📜 Second, **policy**. Since Trump returned to the White House, the US has ended federal EV tax credits, cut spending on charging infrastructure, and watered down emissions targets. The EU has also pulled back on its own emission standards. The regulatory tailwind that underpinned a decade of EV investment has shifted. The EV transition relied on a fairly optimistic set of assumptions: that policy support would hold, that consumer demand would grow, and that the infrastructure gap would close. When all three wobbled simultaneously, the business case for full electrification became very hard to defend. **Not everyone is retreating** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/image-22.png) Ferrari Luce Ferrari is still pressing ahead with its first electric model, the Luce, opening orders in May. Bentley and Rolls-Royce are not abandoning EVs entirely either. The shift is more nuanced than "*EVs are dead!*" What's actually happening is a pivot toward hybrid and plug-in hybrid strategies as the pragmatic middle ground, buying carmakers time without betting the whole company on full electrification. **Why does this matter?** The EV transition represented one of the largest coordinated private sector capital reallocation exercises in modern industrial history. Hundreds of billions of dollars were committed across battery manufacturing, supply chain restructuring, joint ventures, and technology licensing deals. The assumptions underlying all of that activity have now changed - *big time.* When industrial strategy pivots at this scale, it creates a significant volume of commercial and legal activity: renegotiation, restructuring, and in some cases, dispute. **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trump pauses the War? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/trump-pauses-the-war/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T12:10:52.000Z Hi ZipLawyer! Here's the news you need to know today. ⏸️ **Trump pauses the War** 🇸🇮 **Slovenia's hot election** **💊 Baker McKenzie leads pharma deal** **🖨️ Mayer Brown guides paper carve-out** --- **Quick Hits** 🇺🇸 Donald **Trump** backed down from “**any and all strikes**” on Iran’s energy infrastructure after what he called **“productive conversations”** with Tehran. Just days earlier, he’d issued a 48-hour ultimatum over the **Strait of Hormuz**, threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants. Iran responded by warning it could **mine Gulf sea routes** and hit regional infrastructure. Markets **loved** the de-escalation: stocks rebounded and oil prices dropped nearly 8%. 🇸🇮 Slovenia’s **parliamentary election** ended in a near **dead heat**, with both the ruling liberal party and the populist-right securing around 28% of the vote. Prime minister Robert Golob claimed victory, but forming a coalition government now looks messy. 📊 Venture-capital investment in **Africa** hit **$4bn in 2025**, nearly four times the level in 2020\. The rise signals a shift in how the continent is developing less reliance on foreign aid, more on private investment. For startups and infrastructure, that means faster growth, but also higher expectations from investors looking for returns. --- ### **Trump pauses the War?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics--5-.png) **In Short** Trump delayed planned US strikes after “productive” talks with Iran triggering a sharp rebound in global markets and a drop in oil prices. **What does this mean?** Markets right now are basically glued to Trump’s Truth Social feed. One post about “constructive conversations” with Iran and oil drops 10%, stocks bounce, and bond markets rally. It’s a big reminder that geopolitics is running the show. - **Why?** Because this whole situation hinges on the Strait of Hormuz, a tiny stretch of water that carries a massive chunk of the world’s oil. If that gets disrupted, energy prices spike, inflation surges, and economies feel the heat fast. So when the risk of conflict cools, even slightly, markets react instantly. Less war risk = cheaper oil, lower inflation pressure, and happier investors. But this is just a timeout. Trump has only delayed strikes for five days, which means tensions could snap back just as quickly. And there has been no immediate reaction from the Iranian government to the announcement. In other words, markets are just optimistic… for now. ### **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mayer Brown leads Packaging Carve-Out URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mayer-brown-leads-packaging-carve-out/ Last updated: 2026-03-22T12:39:42.000Z A classic portfolio cut to double down on flexible packaging. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Baker McKenzie guides $2B Pharma Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/baker-mckenzie-guides-2b-pharma-deal/ Last updated: 2026-03-22T12:32:03.000Z This is a major oncology deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A&O Shearman - Assessment Centre Insider (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-o-shearman-assessment-centre-inside-2026-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-03-22T12:09:23.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **A&O Shearman** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Squire Patton Boggs - Playbook (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/squire-patton-boggs-playbook-2026-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-03-20T09:30:33.000Z Looking to secure a **Squire Patton Boggs Vacation Scheme**? Here’s a fresh Playbook designed to help you impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 SPB's growth strategy 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion 📈 Top opportunities 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### What makes SPB unique ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics--3-.png) There are bigger law firms. But there is no other firm of SPB's size that sits at the exact intersection of legal advice, regulatory advocacy, and government relations across six continents. That positioning, built through the 2014 combination of Squire Sanders and the Washington lobbying institution Patton Boggs, shapes the kind of work trainees do, the clients the firm attracts, and why $23 million in lobbying revenue sits comfortably alongside a $1.36 billion legal practice. Chairman and Global CEO **Mark Ruehlmann** has steered an expansion strategy focused on emerging markets and private capital. Global Managing Partner **Michele Connell**, who succeeded Fred Nance in January 2023, is the **first woman** to hold the role. ### $1.36 billion and climbing SPB is in growth mode. - **Gross revenue hit $1.361 billion in 2024**, up 9% from $1.24 billion in 2023, which itself was up roughly 7% from $1.16 billion in 2022\. - Profit per equity partner stands at **$2.344 million**, a figure in the same ballpark as the UK's Silver Circle. - Revenue per lawyer runs at approximately **$981,000** based on 1,387 counted attorneys, a big improvement from $650,000 in 2015. **How to use this in an interview** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Squire Patton Boggs, Latham, lead on Airline Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/squire-patton-boggs-latham-lead-on-airline-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-03-19T13:23:15.000Z The dispute concerns millions of euros in unpaid fines. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Squire Patton Boggs - Assessment Centre Inside (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/squire-patton-boggs-assessment-centre-inside/ Last updated: 2026-03-19T12:28:59.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **Squire Patton Boggs** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How will the Shipping Crisis impact Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-will-the-global-shipping-crisis-impact-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-03-19T10:39:05.000Z The shipping industry is unpredictable at the moment. With rising costs and delays causing huge headaches for businesses globally. **Here's how to discuss this to impress your favourite law firms.** **🎙️** Check out our latest **podcast episode** on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7CrDLOZWTe30SmCcI0pIP3?ref=ziplaw.uk), [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1883816900.?ref=ziplaw.uk) or your favourite podcast app. --- **What’s happening?** Global trade depends on a small number of critical chokepoints, narrow routes that carry a huge share of the world’s goods. Think of them like the M25 of the global economy. The Iran conflict has disrupted one of the most important of these - the **Strait of Hormuz**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Sign-Up--1--2.png) Due to the war, shipping companies are rerouting vessels, avoiding high-risk areas, and in some cases pausing operations altogether. The result is longer journeys, delays, and congestion at ports that weren’t built to handle the extra volume. **Key Points for interviews** **🚢 Power shifts to shipping companies** Disruption changes the balance of control. With routes becoming unpredictable and alternatives limited, shipping companies gain leverage over their customers. They can adjust prices at short notice, reroute cargo mid-journey, and alter delivery points depending on risk conditions. For businesses, this means less certainty and less negotiating power, as they are reliant on carriers to navigate an increasingly volatile environment. **📈 Costs rise quickly, but unevenly** As routes become longer and riskier, the cost of shipping increases through higher fuel usage, insurance premiums, and operational inefficiencies like delays and congestion. However, the key insight is that this impact is not uniform. Some routes remain relatively stable, while others see sharp cost increases. That uneven pressure creates challenges for businesses trying to plan and price effectively. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/container_rates_in_the_gulf_keep_rising-20260319T103416-1.png) **📦 Disruption spreads across the supply chain** The impact doesn’t stay within shipping. Delays at sea lead to congestion at ports, goods are rerouted through unfamiliar locations, and businesses often need to rely on additional land transport. Even administrative processes such as customs and documentation become more complex when routes change. As a result, companies are not dealing with a single issue but a series of knock-on problems, constantly adapting as disruption moves through the supply chain. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mishcon de Reya, Taylor Wessing lead on Amazon Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mishcon-de-reya-taylor-wessing-lead-on-amazon-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T19:12:56.000Z A&O Shearman is also involved in the claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gibson Dunn - Assessment Centre Insider (2026 Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gibson-dunn-assessment-centre-insider-2026-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-03-22T12:09:12.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **Gibson Dunn** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Revolut Banks, Anthropic Fights URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-revolut-banks-anthropic-fights/ Last updated: 2026-03-14T09:00:24.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer**! Here's all the news you need to know from this past week and how they impact law firms. **Coming up:** ⚖️ **Regulatory:** Revolut *finally* banks 💸 **Business:** Private credit default warning 🤖 **Technology:** Anthropic v Pentagon 🔋 **Energy:** Emergency oil reserves released ✈️ **Business:** Oil shock hits airlines **🎙️** Remember to follow our new **weekly podcast** on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7CrDLOZWTe30SmCcI0pIP3?ref=ziplaw.uk), [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1883816900.?ref=ziplaw.uk) or your favourite podcast app. --- ### **Memo** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Sign-Up--1-.png) 🤖 **Anthropic just picked a fight with the Pentagon.** The AI startup went to court after the US government labelled it a **“supply-chain risk”**, banning its tech from military use. The dispute began after Anthropic demanded safeguards on how its AI could be used, especially for surveillance and military applications. The White House fired back, saying the military won’t follow a “woke AI company’s terms of service.” The case could shape how AI companies work with governments going forward. ✈️ **Airlines are feeling the fuel-price punch.** As oil surged, airline stocks sank on fears profits could vanish into jet-fuel costs. Several carriers, including Air India, Air New Zealand and Qantas, have already started raising ticket prices or warning they might soon. Air New Zealand even suspended its earnings forecast because energy markets are so volatile. Translation: if the oil spike sticks, your next holiday flight may cost a lot more than your last one. 🇨🇳 **China’s export machine is still humming.** Despite US tariffs, exports jumped 21.8% in the first two months of the year, with imports up nearly 20%. The trick? Beijing simply redirected trade flows. Exports to Europe, South Korea and South-East Asia surged, cushioning the hit from America. Meanwhile inflation rose to 1.3%, the highest in three years - still low, but a sign China’s economy may finally be warming up after a long slowdown. 📉 **The US economy sent mixed signals.** Inflation held steady at **2.4%**, but energy prices haven’t yet reflected the latest oil shock. At the same time, the labour market wobbled: employers unexpectedly **cut 92,000 jobs** in February. Federal government employment has also shrunk by **330,000 jobs since late 2024**. Markets are now trying to figure out whether the economy is cooling, or just taking a breather. --- ### **Oil Shock Response** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/image-16.png) The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilise global energy markets after supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. **What does this mean?** The decision reflects how seriously governments view the current oil market shock. The conflict in the Middle East has effectively halted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical energy chokepoints in the world. Roughly 20 percent of global seaborne oil normally passes through the strait, so disruptions there can quickly send prices soaring. Oil prices surged close to $120 a barrel earlier this week, prompting the IEA and its member states to intervene. Countries including the UK, Japan, Germany, France and South Korea have all pledged to release oil from their emergency stockpiles, with the US expected to provide the largest share from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The scale of the move is unprecedented. The planned release is more than double the 183 million barrels coordinated after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022\. Even so, analysts warn it may only partially offset supply losses if Gulf exports remain disrupted. The intervention is designed to calm markets and prevent energy prices from spiralling further. But the real solution lies in restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, without which global oil supplies will remain under severe pressure. **What does this mean for Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 🎙️We started a podcast! URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/we-started-a-podcast/ Last updated: 2026-03-10T12:08:36.000Z We've got some news. ZipLaw now has a podcast and the first episode is live! It's called the **ZipLaw Briefing**, and each week we will break down the biggest stories shaping the legal market - the kind of stuff you need to impress in TC and Vac Scheme apps and ACs. Think of it as your weekly commercial awareness cheat code, *but in your ears instead of your inbox.* **Listen on your favourite podcast app 👇** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1883816900?ref=ziplaw.uk) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7CrDLOZWTe30SmCcI0pIP3?ref=ziplaw.uk) In our first episode, we cover: 🛢️ The Iran conflict and oil shock 🎬 Hollywood's $110B mega-merger 💳 Visa Mastercard mass claim 📰 £575m Telegraph deal ⚡ Plus a quick-fire round of headlines It's around 25 minutes — perfect for a commute, a gym session, or to pass some time while you're waiting for law firms to (*finally*) get back to you. **Listen on your favourite podcast app 👇** [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1883816900?ref=ziplaw.uk) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/7CrDLOZWTe30SmCcI0pIP3?ref=ziplaw.uk) Or search "**ZipLaw Briefing**" wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoy it, hit follow, leave us a short review and share it with anyone you think would find this useful! ### Will Big Law shut down its Middle East offices? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/will-big-law-shut-down-its-middle-east-offices/ Last updated: 2026-03-10T10:00:07.000Z Every major law firm had the same slide in their strategy deck: 'We need to be in the Middle East.' So they went, hard. 30+ firms opened Saudi offices. Then the region they'd bet everything on went to war. This has turned Big Law's biggest opportunity into it greatest challenge. We cover what this means and how you can use it to impress law firms. --- ### Why Everyone Piled In **Saudi Arabia** dropped Vision 2030 back in 2016\. The pitch? "*We're done being just an oil country.*" Crown Prince MBS wanted tourism, tech, entertainment, financial services; the works. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics---2026-03-09T171022.639.png) Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman **Qatar** had a similar glow-up plan. The **UAE**? Dubai and Abu Dhabi had been diversifying for years and were basically already running as the world's favourite address for hedge funds, family offices and sovereign wealth. - **💸 And the money behind all of this?** Eye-watering. Just in Abu Dhabi, sovereign wealth funds Mubadala and ADIA are managing *trillions*. They're deploying it into PE, real estate, infrastructure and public markets across every continent on earth. When money at that scale moves, it needs lawyers. **A *lot* of lawyers.** **Then Big Tech showed up.** Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Nvidia, all building massive data centres across the region to power AI. Every single one of those projects meant licences, land deals, construction contracts, regulatory approvals, tech agreements. That's a feeding frenzy for law firms across multiple practice areas. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Orrick - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/orrick-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-03-09T13:00:57.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Orrick TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Orrick application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Please use the space below for your cover letter. Please address your cover letter to Pete Sugden. - Why have you decided to pursue a career as a commercial lawyer? What factors and influences have affected your decision? - Have you been following any recent news stories or events that have attracted your attention and you think would have an impact, or be of interest to Orrick's clients? - Why specifically are you interested in training at Orrick? What makes us different to the other firms you have applied for? - Have you used AI in preparing your application? If so, how? If not, why not? **Deadline:** 30 April _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Iran's new leader URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-irans-new-leader/ Last updated: 2026-03-09T11:45:20.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here’sthe news you need to know today. **Latest from the Iran war** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/image-10.png) - The conflict between **Iran, Israel, and the US** has entered its **10th day**, with no signs of de-escalation. - **Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei**, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new **Supreme Leader**, signalling continuity of the regime’s hardline stance toward the US and Israel. - **Oil markets reacted dramatically**: crude surged as much as 29% intraday, the biggest jump since 2020, as Gulf producers cut output and fears grew of supply disruption in the region. - Prices eased slightly after reports that G7 finance ministers may coordinate a release of emergency oil reserves with the International Energy Agency to stabilise markets. - The US is reportedly considering deploying special forces to seize Iran’s near-bomb-grade uranium stockpile, amid fears it may have been moved to undisclosed locations. --- ### **Business News** 🇩🇪 **Germany’s ruling Christian Democrats** suffered a setback in a key **state election in Baden-Württemberg**, one of the country’s richest regions and home to industrial giants like **Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Bosch and SAP**. Chancellor **Friedrich Merz** had hoped to reclaim the 11-million-person state to strengthen his grip on power ahead of tougher regional votes later this year. Losing ground there is politically symbolic: Baden-Württemberg is Germany’s manufacturing heartland, so weak results could signal trouble for Merz as economic concerns dominate voters’ priorities. 🇨🇳 China signalled it is **“positive and open”** about a planned **visit by Donald Trump** later this month, which could become the first trip to Beijing by a US president in nearly a decade. Foreign minister **Wang Yi** emphasised the need for **dialogue between the US and China**, even as tensions simmer over trade and geopolitics. The potential summit shows both sides still see value in diplomacy — especially as disputes over tariffs, technology and global security keep relations fragile. 💻 Private-equity giant **KKR** is aiming for a **10-fold return** from a potential sale of **CoolIT Systems**, a company that builds **liquid-cooling technology for data centres**. Originally founded in 2001 to cool gaming computers, the firm pivoted to **AI infrastructure** as demand for powerful chips exploded. With the AI boom pushing data-centre valuations sky-high, investors are betting cooling systems — essential to stop AI hardware overheating — could become one of the industry’s most valuable hidden pieces. --- ### Law Firm News **💳 Five firms lead on Mastercard, Visa claim** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Stephenson Harwood - Application Insider (TC 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/stephenson-harwood-application-insider-tc-2028/ Last updated: 2026-03-08T12:17:09.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Stephenson Harwood TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Stephenson Harwood application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Why do you want to become a solicitor and how has your experience prepared you for the role? - With reference to your professional, academic, and personal experiences, what makes Stephenson Harwood the right place for you to train? - In up to 600 words, please outline up to three significant challenges that you think all law firms will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question. **Deadline:** 27 March _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Farrer & Co - Playbook 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/farrer-co-playbook-2026/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T10:00:23.000Z Looking to secure a **Farrer & Co TC**? Here’s a fresh Playbook designed to help you impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 Farrer's growth strategy 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion 📈 Big Market Opportunities 💼 Key clients and notable deals **Deadline:** 27 March --- ### Broad Sector Power Most mid-sized London firms pick a lane. Farrer & Co has built something different: a five-sector model that lets it advise a Duchy, a FTSE-listed wealth manager, and a leading museum from the same office on Lincoln's Inn Fields. Its five-sector model covering Private Wealth, Businesses, Financial Services, Not-for-Profit, and Education is a major differentiator. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics---2026-03-06T164936.337.png) Senior Partner: Jeremy Gordon While many mid-sized London firms are generalist or narrowly specialist, Farrer & Co combines Band 1 Chambers rankings in agriculture, charities, art and cultural property, education, employment, and media with strong corporate, disputes, and real estate teams. A breadth unusual for a firm of its size. To further sharpen this competitive edge, Farrer has made a string of strategic hires, including one that created an entirely new practice area the firm has never had before... ### Key Hires _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trowers & Hamlins leads on NFT Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/trowers-hamlins-lead-on-nft-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-03-05T17:39:32.000Z The crypto payments provider of unlawfully withholding €2.18 million in customer funds. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kingsley Napley, Freshfields face off in £300 million Patent Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kingsley-napley-freshfields-face-off-in-300-million-patent-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-03-05T17:05:09.000Z Can an employee share in the profits from his inventions? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kingsley Napley - Playbook 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kingsley-napley-playbook-2026/ Last updated: 2026-03-05T12:40:46.000Z Looking to secure a **Kingsley Napley TC**? Here’s a fresh Playbook designed to help you impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 KN’s strategy for growth. 👥 Insights from recent hires. 🌍 Office expansion and global focus. 📈 Huge Opportunities for KN 💼 Key clients and notable deals. **Deadline:** 31 March --- ### The Matt Meyer Refresh The appointment of **Matt Meyer as Managing Partner** on 1 April 2025 marked the most significant leadership change in KN's recent history. Meyer is not a KN lifer. He was CEO of Taylor Vinters for over 15 years, drove its expansion, and orchestrated its 2021 merger with Mishcon de Reya, subsequently serving on Mishcon's Management Board. Named by the Financial Times as one of Europe's most innovative lawyers, he brings a proven growth track record and an innovation-first mindset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/Graphics---2026-03-05T122917.081.png) **Meyer's strategy focuses on** clarifying KN's market identity, sharpening commercial direction, reinforcing reputation in key practice areas, and attracting top talent, while preserving the firm's culture and "continued independence." He made some huge hires to achieve his goals and boost KN's practice areas, let's dive into these in more detail. ### Key Hires _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Stephenson Harwood - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/stephenson-harwood-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T17:47:44.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Stephenson Harwood** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Addleshaw Goddard - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/addleshaw-goddard-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T17:44:32.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Addleshaw Goddard** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Taylor Wessing leads on Property Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/taylor-wessing-leads-on-property-deal/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T16:53:51.000Z It's a big move for the residential property group. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Skadden, Cleary, Simmons face off in Salmon Cartel Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/skadden-cleary-simmons-face-off-in-salmon-cartel-claim/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T16:49:29.000Z Freshfields is also involved in the dispute. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Iran War: How does it impact Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/iran-war-how-does-it-impact-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-03-03T14:04:40.000Z Here's all you need to know on the Iran War, including how it's impacting law firms. **What's happened up to now?** - The US and Israel launched a coordinated military attack on Iran. - Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, alongside senior officials including Iran's defence and intelligence chiefs. - Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israel and on US bases across the Gulf. - Qatar's main airport was struck. QatarEnergy shut down its major LNG plant. - Today, two drones hit the US embassy in Riyadh. - Iran has threatened to attack any ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Ship traffic has effectively halted. - Nearly all civilian air traffic across the Gulf is suspended, including Dubai's airport, the world's busiest hub. - Trump says the campaign could last "far longer" than 4–5 weeks and the US will do "whatever it takes." - Iran has refused all negotiations. The UAE and Qatar are privately lobbying allies to de-escalate. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/image.png) **Back up:** Tensions between the US and Iran have been building for months. In December, protests erupted across Iran over worsening economic conditions, prompting a violent crackdown by the regime. Trump vowed to support the protesters but held off on military action. Three rounds of nuclear talks followed but failed to produce any agreement, and in the meantime, the US quietly built up a significant military presence in the region. ### **Energy Markets are key** **Oil:** The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil flows, is effectively closed, with tanker traffic down 94%. Brent crude hit $85/barrel (the highest since mid-2024), Saudi Arabia's largest refinery has been halted, and operations at the UAE's Fujairah terminal have been suspended. **But here's the thing:** traders say this is actually a muted response, the market is pricing in a *short* conflict. If it drags on, Citi estimates oil could hit $120/barrel, and JPMorgan has warned that if Hormuz stays closed for more than 25 days, Middle Eastern producers will need to start shutting in output entirely. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/03/image-1.png) **Gas:** This is where the real pain could hit. Qatar, which supplies roughly a fifth of the world's LNG, was forced to shut down its Ras Laffan facility after Iranian drone strikes. There is virtually zero spare LNG capacity globally. Pakistan gets 99% of its LNG from Qatar. India gets about half and has already floated the idea of gas rationing. If this drags on, we're looking at a 2022-style bidding war between Europe and Asia for whatever supply remains. ### **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Freshfields - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-03-02T18:36:40.000Z A detailed insight into what to expect from the **Freshfields Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to succeed. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-02-25T12:27:22.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Hogan Lovells** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How will the Trump Tariffs Ban impact Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-will-the-trump-tariffs-ban-impact-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-02-21T10:55:37.000Z Trump’s tariff policy just hit a wall. In a 6–3 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that Trump overstepped his authority when he imposed sweeping tariffs on foreign imports without congressional approval. **Here's all you need to know plus what it means for law firms!** --- ### What happened? The Court ruled that Trump exceeded his powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — a 1977 law designed to address national emergencies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/02/image-9.png) Trump had relied on IEEPA to impose tariffs on what he called “**liberation day**” last April, targeting dozens of countries, including China, the EU, Canada, Mexico, Japan and even the UK. The Court held that IEEPA “does not authorise the president to impose tariffs”. In short: - The law was never meant to give the president blanket tariff power. - Congress, not the executive, holds primary authority over trade policy. - Lower courts were right — these tariffs were unlawful. ### Is the Trade War Over? Not even close. Within hours of the ruling, Trump announced a **new 10% global tariff** under the Trade Act of 1974. The key shift? He’s moved from broad emergency powers to more structured statutory routes. Section 122 allows tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days to address serious balance-of-payments issues, while other provisions require formal investigations into national security or unfair trade practices. **In short,** tariffs are still very much on the table, just through a more procedural, and more legally constrained, process. ### Will Businesses Get Refunds? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-21-at-10.44.18.png) Tariff revenues last year are estimated between **$240bn and $300bn**. And it seems US firms bore around 90% of the cost, much of which was passed to consumers through higher prices. If the tariffs are ruled unlawful in full, refund claims from importers could be *enormous*. But: - The administration has dismissed the idea of repayments. - Justice Brett Kavanaugh warned the refund process would likely be a “mess”. - Litigation could drag on for years. --- ### What About the UK and EU? The UK government says its preferential deal with the US remains unaffected. That includes: - Reduced tariffs on automobiles (10% instead of 27.5%) - Zero tariffs on pharmaceuticals - Preferential steel terms The EU, meanwhile, is analysing the ruling. The European Parliament has not yet ratified last year’s EU-US deal. It was previously paused during political tensions linked to Greenland. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gowling and CMS lead on Pension Buy-In Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gowling-and-cms-lead-on-pension-buy-in-deal/ Last updated: 2026-02-19T11:36:11.000Z This is part of a wider movement where companies reduce uncertainty from pension obligations. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kirkland & Ellis - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kirkland-ellis-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-02-21T11:14:43.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Kirkland & Ellis** **Vac Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Kirkland & Ellis application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Cover Letter - Please tell us what your proudest achievement is and why. (400 words max) - Please tell us about a recent commercial article or event that has attracted your attention. Please explain why it interested you, give your opinion on the opportunities and challenges that it might present to a law firm such as Kirkland & Ellis. (400 words max) - Why do you want to be a trainee solicitor in a transactional focused firm? (400 words max) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Winckworth Sherwood -Playbook (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/winckworth-sherwood-playbook-2026/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T12:47:43.000Z Want to stand out in your **Winckworth Sherwood TC** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Winckworth Sherwood's** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals ⚖️ WS vs key competitors --- ## The firm at a glance: heritage, structure, and what makes it distinctive What distinguishes Winckworth Sherwood from other mid-market firms is a rare combination of niche depth and broad capability. The firm houses one of only **five "Roll A" parliamentary agency teams** in the UK, advises the **majority of London's major housing associations** (combined assets exceeding **£17.3 billion**), and maintains one of the country's few dedicated ecclesiastical law practices. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Goodwin - Assessment Centre (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/goodwin-assessment-centre-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-03-06T12:30:02.000Z What to expect from the **Goodwin** Assessment Centrefor a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mills & Reeve - Playbook 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mills-reeve-playbook-2026/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T10:46:43.000Z Want to stand out in your **Mills & Reeve TC** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Mills & Reeve's** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals ⚖️ Mills & Reeve vs key competitors --- ## 2030 strategy Mills & Reeve's current trajectory is defined by its **2030 Strategy**, launched in mid-2024 after the firm hit its previous "2025 Strategy" revenue and growth targets a full year ahead of schedule. The strategy rests on four pillars, each with measurable goals. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simmons & Simmons - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simmons-simmons-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T15:55:52.000Z What to expect from the Simmons & Simmons Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Shoosmiths - Playbook (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/shoosmiths-playbook-training-contract-2028/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T09:30:46.000Z Want to stand out in your **Shoosmiths TC** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Shoosmiths'** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals ⚖️ Shoosmiths vs key competitors **Deadline:** 31 March --- ### The 2030 strategy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/02/Graphics---2026-02-10T090834.589.png) David Jackson CEO David Jackson has staked Shoosmiths' future on a clear 2030 vision: to lead the UK upper-mid-market by organising the firm around **three core practice pillars**: - Corporate - Real Estate, and - Litigation and **five priority sectors** (Technology, Mobility, Living, Financial Services, and Energy & Infrastructure). _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Shoosmiths - Application Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/shoosmiths-discover-placement-application-insider/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T09:03:33.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Shoosmiths Training** **Contract** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Shoosmiths TC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Describe why you want to be a trainee solicitor at Shoosmiths (300 words). - Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor? (300 words). - Shoosmiths people are collaborative. What are the characteristics of a successful team? Share an example of an excellent team you have been a part of, what you achieved together, and explain how this experience might benefit your future career. (300 words). - As a trainee, you’ll rotate teams and work with people at different levels, with different working styles and personalities. Which of your strengths will you draw upon to help you handle these changes? (300 words). - How do you expect to use generative AI tools to enhance your effectiveness as a solicitor in the future?If you have, you may also choose to include specific examples of how you have utilised generative AI to elevate part of your application to Shoosmiths, in this answer. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Brabners - Playbook 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/brabners-playbook/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T15:02:07.000Z Want to stand out in your **Brabners TC and Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Brabners'** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals **Deadline:** 26 February --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Brabners is doubling down on core strengths like corporate deals and disputes while building niche sector expertise. At the same time, strategic hires and initiatives show Brabners targeting growth areas such as sports law pensions and innovative deal structures to meet client demand. **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Charles Russell Speechlys leads on tin company fund raise URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/charles-russell-speechlys-leads-on-tin-company-fund-raise/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T18:10:58.000Z The company managed to raise over £6 million by selling new shares. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Charles Russell Speechlys - Video Interview (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/charles-russell-speechlys-video-interview-vacation-scheme-copy/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T16:25:28.000Z What to expect from the **Charles Russell Speechlys Video Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### This Hidden Trend is reshaping the PE market URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/this-hidden-trend-is-reshaping-the-pe-market/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T10:00:25.000Z We love hidden trends because they’re gold dust in law firm applications. And we’ve spotted one that’s quietly reshaping the market. Welcome to the world of **private credit** — where a deal trend is flying under the radar. **Today, we break down what it is and why law firms are paying close attention.** --- ### What’s actually happening? Private credit firms lend money to companies, often those owned by private equity (**PE**). Normally, those loans are repaid when the PE fund exits the business — through a sale, IPO, or refinancing. But exits have dried up. So instead of waiting years for repayment, credit managers are doing **“continuation deals.”** That means: - The manager sets up a **new fund (a continuation vehicle)** - That new fund **buys loans from the old fund** - Cash is returned to the original investors - The same assets keep ticking along in a new structure In 2025, these continuation deals hit **$15bn globally**, up from under $4bn the year before. That’s not a blip — that’s a structural shift. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/02/image-3-1.png) 💡**What's a private credit firm?** Think of a **private credit firm** as a lender that sits *outside* the traditional banking system. Instead of a high-street bank or investment bank providing loans, private credit firms raise money from investors (like pension funds, insurers and sovereign wealth funds) and use that capital to lend directly to companies, often in bespoke, privately negotiated deals. --- ### Why are firms doing this now? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Osborne Clarke guides pension buyout URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/osborne-clarke-guides-pension-buyout/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T13:48:09.000Z The pension buyout trend continues strong. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells leads on TSB Mortgage claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-leads-on-tsb-mortgage-claim/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T13:19:13.000Z A big win for TSB in this complex appeal case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why did Elon Musk merge SpaceX with xAI? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-did-elon-musk-merge-spacex-with-xai/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T11:58:24.000Z All you need to know in short. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mayer Brown - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mayer-brown-assessment-centre-insider/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T14:45:46.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Mayer Brown Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Mayer Brown. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top Energy Trends of 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-energy-trends-of-2026/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T10:00:35.000Z Today we cover the top **Energy Trends of 2026** and what they mean for **Law Firms and their clients!** --- ### Offshore Wind still leads In early 2026, the government approved support for **8.4GW of new offshore wind capacity**, exceeding expectations and reaffirming its commitment to large-scale renewables. However, the industry’s challenge has shifted. The problem is no longer whether offshore wind is politically supported (it is) but whether projects can be delivered on time and at a viable cost. Inflation, higher interest rates and stretched global supply chains have all pushed costs up. At the same time, projects are becoming larger, more complex and more legally demanding. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mills & Reeve leads on pension buy-in deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mills-reeve-leads-on-pension-buy-in-deal/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T18:01:33.000Z Another deal for the pension buy-in trend. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Withers - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/withers-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T11:02:42.000Z Looking to secure a **Withers Vacation Scheme**? Here’s a fresh Playbook designed to help you impress. This Playbook covers: 🧠 Withers’ strategy for growth. 👥 Insights from recent hires. 🌍 Office expansion and global focus. 📊 Must-know financial data. 💼 Key clients and notable deals. --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Withers is doubling down on its private client roots while branching into new specialist areas like art law technology renewable energy and executive employment to meet evolving client needs **Details:** **Private Wealth & Disputes** The firm is holding on to its identity as a “**private client powerhouse**”. This is underscored by Withers appointing private client disputes lawyer Paul Hewitt as its new Chair in London. Hewitt’s background, including leading major trust cases such as representing the late Nizam of Hyderabad in a £35 million international dispute, shows Withers’ commitment to high-stakes trust, estates and family disputes for ultra-high-net-worth clients. The firm has also grown its litigation capabilities. For example, it has hired a team of disputes lawyers in Singapore led by a former Morgan Lewis partner to serve clients’ contentious needs globally. **Art & Luxury Assets** Withers is staking a claim as a go-to firm for art law and luxury asset matters. In 2025, it launched a dedicated art advisory practice in New York, hiring former Sotheby’s Americas chair Mari-Claudia Jiménez as a partner to lead it. Jiménez now co-heads the firm’s global art practice alongside a London partner, advising collectors, galleries and auction houses. By November 2025, Withers added veteran art lawyer Frank Lord, a PhD art historian, and an ex-Christie’s specialist to that team. Catering to wealthy clients’ art and cultural property needs is a logical extension of Withers’ private client focus, and the firm’s investment here shows it is prioritising niche sectors important to its high-net-worth clientele. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Shoosmiths advises on stock market exit URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/shoosmiths-advises-on-stock-market-exit/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T11:00:18.000Z The firm is leading on the £60M delisting. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### EU–India Trade Deal is a big deal for Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/eu-india-trade-deal-is-a-big-deal-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-01-31T10:00:17.000Z Looking for the perfect news story to discuss in your application or AC? You're in the right place! The EU and India signed a huge trade deal this week. Today we cover what the deal is about and **why it matters for law firms**. --- ### What is the deal? The EU and India have agreed a sweeping trade pact that removes or sharply reduces tariffs on most goods traded between them. Once approved, the deal will eliminate tariffs on around 96% of EU exports to India and give more than 99% of Indian exports preferential access to the EU market. **What does Europe get?** Indian tariffs on EU cars will fall from an eye-watering 110% to 10%, subject to an annual quota. Duties on machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, steel and iron will be phased out, some over a 10-year period. Food and drink also see major wins: wine tariffs will fall from 150% to as low as 20%, olive oil will drop to zero over five years, and levies on processed foods like bread and confectionery will be eliminated. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-42.png) Credit: FT **What about India?** For India, the prize is access. Indian exporters, including textiles and other manufacturing sectors, will face zero or near-zero tariffs when selling into the EU. The deal also goes beyond tariffs, with commitments to smoother customs procedures, closer regulatory co-operation and support for Indian industry to decarbonise. ### Why does it matter? This is one of the largest trade deals either side has ever signed, and it lands at a tense moment for global trade. With protectionism rising elsewhere, the EU and India are choosing to lower barriers rather than raise them, effectively doubling down on rules-based trade between two economic heavyweights. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-41-1.png) European manufacturers suddenly look far more competitive in India, while Indian exporters gain a more stable and predictable route into the EU at a time when access to other major markets has become more uncertain. Lower tariffs also mean cheaper inputs, more choice for consumers and stronger supply-chain links between the two regions. The agreement reflects India’s broader push to open its economy and attract investment, while giving the EU a deeper foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Add in commitments on climate and regulatory alignment, and this is less about a one-off tariff cut and more about locking in a long-term economic partnership. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fieldfisher advises on scooters tax case URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fieldfisher-advises-on-scooters-tax-case/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T15:57:00.000Z The case focuses on a special tax treatment for mobility scooters. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ropes & Gray - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ropes-gray-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T10:34:12.000Z This report contains: - A detailed summary of what to expect from the Ropes & Gray Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre - Key tips on all the excercises involved to impress Ropes & Gray Written by a recent Ropes & Gray Assessment Centre candidate! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Harbottle & Lewis, RPC lead on Mirror Phone Hacking Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/harbottle-lewis-rpc-lead-on-mirror-phone-hacking-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T10:20:58.000Z MGN argues the claimants missed the deadline on this one. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Stephenson Harwood opens in Madrid in global expansion URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/stephenson-harwood-opens-in-madrid-in-global-expansion/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T10:12:07.000Z The move marks a return to the capital after 25 years. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Akin Gump - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/akin-gump-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T10:36:56.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the Akin Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ropes & Gray - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ropes-gray-application-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T10:32:36.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer**! Here's how you can ace your **Ropes & Gray Vacation Scheme** application. **This report includes 👇** - **A successful Ropes & Gray vacation scheme application** - Our **feedback** on what makes this application great plus what could be improved - How to answer: **Describe three characteristics that you believe make an outstanding Ropes & Gray lawyer and how that lawyer would drive our business.** ### **Successful Application** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### CMS, Osborne Clarke face off in Trading Contract Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cms-osborne-clarke-face-off-in-trading-contract-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T18:35:17.000Z A million dollar claim about a problematic trade contract. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Osborne Clarke - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/osborne-clarke-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T18:36:17.000Z This report contains a candidate’s account of what to expect from the **Osborne Clarke Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** plus tips on how to impress Osborne Clarke. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Must-Know Private Equity Trend URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/the-must-know-private-equity-trend/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T11:37:51.000Z Private equity is changing fast as giants like Blackstone and KKR fight to remain competitive with new products. One trend is reshaping how the industry works and offers a huge opportunity for **Law Firms**. --- ### First, what Is Private Equity? Private equity firms raise money from investors and use it to buy companies that are not listed on the stock market. They usually hold these businesses for several years, trying to improve them before selling them for a profit. Because these investments are long-term and risky, private equity has traditionally been open only to large, sophisticated investors such as pension funds, insurance companies and governments. Ordinary individuals were largely excluded, and investors often had to commit their money for 10 years or more with no easy way to withdraw early. This made private equity a powerful but highly exclusive part of the financial world. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-38-1.png) ### Why Private Equity Is Moving into Retail Investment from large institutions has slowed for a few key reasons: - Many pension funds are already **heavily invested** in private equity and don't want to commit even more capital. - **Higher interest rates** and market **uncertainty** have made long-term investments less attractive. Problem is private equity firms need *fresh* capital to keep growing so they're now eyeing up retail investors and retirement savers, particularly in the US, as a huge alternative. - **Why?** Recent regulatory changes have made it easier for private equity to be included in retirement accounts such as 401(k)s, unlocking access to a huge pool of long-term savings. But private equity giants (think Blackstone, KKR etc.) realised they needed to offer something new to entice these investors and they launched “**evergreen**” or **semi-liquid funds**. These are fancy terms for funds that allow investors to add money over time and, in some cases, withdraw it periodically, rather than locking it away for a decade. This makes private equity feel more accessible, even though the underlying investments remain complex and long-term. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-40-1.png) ### Why does this matter? Private equity’s move into retail signals a deeper change in how the industry operates. Firms are no longer just competing quietly for pension fund money. They are now fighting for **individual investors**, where performance comparisons are more visible and investors can move their money if they are unhappy. That has increased competition, reduced fees, and put greater pressure on firms to deliver consistent returns. In short, private equity is starting to behave less like an exclusive club and more like a mass-market financial business. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes, Clifford Chance lead on Pharma Competition Case URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-clifford-chance-lead-on-pharma-competition-case/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T16:46:15.000Z The case revolves around fines for excessive drug prices. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T15:44:19.000Z This report contains a candidate’s account of what to expect from the **Macfarlanes Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** plus tips on how to impress Macfarlanes. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Vinson & Elkins - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/vinson-elkins-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T13:38:23.000Z Here's a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Vinson & Elkins Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus key tips on how to impress the firm. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why Law Firms should focus on Rare Earths URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-law-firms-should-focus-on-rare-earths/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T10:09:23.000Z Despite the name, **rare earths** aren’t actually *rare*. They’re scattered across the planet in awkward, hard-to-extract places, and that’s the problem. As supply chains become pressure points, governments and companies are scrambling to lock down their own reserves. Today, we look at why this rush is turning rare earths into a serious opportunity for **Law Firms**. --- ### What are Rare Earths? **Rare earths** are a group of 17 elements used to make the powerful magnets and components that sit inside everyday tech and high-end hardware alike. Your phone, satellites, fighter jets and missile guidance systems all rely on them. The problem for the US (*and much of the West*) is **concentration**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-36.png) A large share of global rare earth mining and an even larger share of processing happens **outside the US**. That creates a strategic vulnerability. If supplies are disrupted, whole industries feel it and that's a big problem. ### Why the US is stepping in with billions The US government announced plans to pour $1.6bn into a domestic rare earths company (USA Rare Earth). This is a big move. Instead of relying on tax breaks or policy nudges, the government is stepping in directly with equity and debt funding. The aim is simple but ambitious: reduce reliance on overseas supply chains and secure the raw materials needed for advanced manufacturing, technology and defence. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-35.png) **Why USA Rare Earth?** Two reasons: 1. The company is developing a **large rare earths mine in Texas**, with deposits covering most of the elements used in everyday tech and military hardware. 2. But the more strategic move is downstream. It also plans to build a **magnet manufacturing facility in Oklahoma**, targeting one of the weakest links in the global supply chain. Digging minerals out of the ground is only half the battle; processing them into usable components is where control – and vulnerability – really lies. This intervention fits neatly into a broader push to reshore industries seen as essential to US economic and national security, driven by legislation like the CHIPS and Science Act. Rare earths are now being treated in the same category as semiconductors: foundational inputs that modern economies cannot afford to leave exposed to geopolitical disruption. ### Why investors see a huge opportunity Once governments start writing cheques, markets pay attention. The announcement has helped trigger a surge in investor interest, with USA Rare Earth’s shares more than doubling this year. The deal also required the company to raise substantial private funding, which it has done comfortably, showing how public money can unlock private capital at scale. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-34.png) Credit: FT The opportunity goes beyond one company. Demand for rare earths is set to grow as electric vehicles, renewable energy, AI hardware and defence spending all expand at the same time. Supply, however, takes years to build. Mines, processing plants and manufacturing facilities are slow, expensive and politically sensitive. That gap between rising demand and constrained supply is what makes rare earths so attractive right now. They are a strategic asset class, backed by governments, driven by technology, and increasingly central to how modern economies function. ### How does this impact Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham, Weil guide offers on top Telecoms deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-weil-guide-offers-on-top-telecoms-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T09:27:41.000Z A great deal for your Latham and Weil AC. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Cooley - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cooley-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T16:34:07.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Cooley Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Cooley. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kirkland & Ellis - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kirkland-ellis-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T16:37:08.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Kirkland & Ellis Vacation Scheme Partner Interview** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Kirkland. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Skadden - Playbook URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/skadden-playbook-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T10:00:09.000Z Want to stand out in your **Skadden Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Skadden's** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Skadden is playing to its strengths in M&A and disputes while expanding in growth sectors like energy and tech. Recent mega deals and lateral hires show a clear focus on high value transactions, especially private equity and infrastructure, elite litigation and arbitration, and finance and fintech. **M&A and Private Equity** Skadden remains a global M&A powerhouse. In 2025 it advised on the largest merger of the year, representing Union Pacific in its proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, a transcontinental railroad deal. The firm also handled major private deals such as Air Lease Corporation’s $28.2 billion take private sale to Apollo Global Management and partners. These headline transactions, spanning railroads to aviation finance, underscore Skadden’s focus on complex, high value M&A. Notably, Skadden’s corporate team is deep in private equity, for example advising BlackRock on its £2.55 billion acquisition of Preqin, a UK data company. **Energy and Infrastructure** A significant strategic focus is on energy sector work, as Skadden anticipates a surge in global infrastructure and renewables transactions. The firm made multiple hires to bolster this area. In Houston, Skadden added two seasoned partners from White & Case to guide energy and infrastructure clients on M&A, private equity investments and joint ventures. It also brought in former Vinson & Elkins partner Steve Gill earlier in the year to its Houston M&A team. This matters because energy transition and infrastructure investment are booming worldwide, and Skadden is ensuring it can capture that work. **Litigation and Arbitration** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Freshfields - Playbook URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-playbook/ Last updated: 2026-01-24T14:30:03.000Z Want to stand out in your **Freshfields Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Freshfields'** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Freshfields is building three strategic pillars—private capital, antitrust/regulatory, and energy transition—while fiercely defending its historic European M&A dominance through continued investment and lateral hiring. **Details:** **Private capital** has emerged as perhaps the most visible growth engine. Freshfields won the British Legal Awards 2024 Private Capital Team of the Year and holds a Chambers Band 1 ranking for global private equity—credentials that matter when competing for sponsor-driven mandates against Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins. The February 2025 Boston office launch was explicitly designed to serve private equity sponsors and life sciences companies, two client bases with significant overlap in that market. The firm has recruited aggressively to build this capability (see Key Hires below). This matters because private equity clients increasingly demand full-service capability across jurisdictions—they want one firm that can handle the buyout, the financing, the regulatory clearance, and eventually the exit, whether in New York, London, or Frankfurt. **Antitrust and regulatory** work represents Freshfields' most strategic investment area. The rationale is straightforward: as deal scrutiny intensifies globally, clients need advisers who genuinely understand how regulators think. Freshfields' solution has been to hire the regulators themselves. The entire 16-partner US antitrust team was selected to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers guide—a remarkable achievement for a practice built largely through recent lateral recruitment. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fieldfisher - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fieldfisher-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T16:35:46.000Z A detailed insight into what to expect from the **Fieldfisher Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to succeed. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why Defence Spending is a Huge Opportunity for Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-defence-spending-is-a-huge-opportunity-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-01-24T10:00:52.000Z With geopolitical tensions intensifying thanks to Trump, Europe’s defence sector has quietly become one of the most attractive growth stories in global markets. With government spending rising fast, this creates a unique opportunity for **law firms** to take on more work and capitalise on their expertise in the sector. --- ### **A structural shift, not a short-term spike** Defence spending has entered a new era. Global military expenditure hit a record **$2.7tn in 2024**, and this is not a temporary reaction to one conflict. It's been led by a number of key factors including: - Russia’s war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, - Pressure on NATO alliances; and - Uncertainty over future US security guarantees This has forced governments to plan for prolonged rearmament, not quick fixes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-29.png) Plus, modern military capability now includes drones, cyber systems, AI-enabled surveillance, satellite infrastructure, energy security and resilient supply chains. That broad definition massively expands the number of companies involved and turns defence into a long-cycle industrial strategy rather than a narrow weapons market. --- ### **Europe is rearming at scale** Across Europe, defence spending has moved from promises to execution. **Germany** has expanded its defence workforce by roughly a third in recent years as it embarks on a generational rearmament programme. - **Poland** is upgrading its navy to counter threats in the Baltic. - The UK has committed to lifting defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035, even if inflation and nuclear costs have so far absorbed much of the increase. At a broader EU level, funds such as the Security Action for Europe scheme are designed to allow joint procurement through EU-backed borrowing, creating predictable, multi-year demand for equipment and technology. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-28.png) Fresh UK–EU talks about defence cooperation add further momentum, with the potential to widen access to funding and cross-border contracts at exactly the moment Europe wants to project unity. --- ### **Defence IPOs are hot stuff** Defence companies are returning to public markets at scale and successfully. On Friday, European ammunition maker Czechoslovak Group soared 31% on its trading debut in Amsterdam(!). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-30.png) Credit: FT A key point to note here is that their **IPOs** are supported by valuations that reflect long-term government spending commitments rather than short-term conflict cycles. This gives private equity and venture investors clearer exit routes and encourages earlier-stage investment across the supply chain. Most people will think this trend is all about defence companies, but that's not the case. Just as important is how **non-military companies** are being pulled in. European governments are actively encouraging partnerships between civilian manufacturers and defence specialists. Automotive, aerospace, data, logistics and advanced manufacturing businesses are increasingly involved, particularly in areas like drones and rapid production. ### **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kirkland, RPC act on football ownership stake dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kirkland-rpc-act-on-football-ownership-stake-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T23:35:05.000Z A London Premier League club and an alleged breach of a buy-back. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mishcon, Morgan Lewis advise on McLaren F1 Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mishcon-morgan-lewis-advise-on-mclaren-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T23:25:24.000Z The case revolves around alleged missed revenue due to a driver's breach of contract. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mishcon de Reya - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mishcon-de-reya-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T23:09:07.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Mishcon de Reya Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Mishcon de Reya. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### RPC leads on tax penalties claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/rpc-leads-on-tax-penalties-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T18:11:48.000Z A million pound tax claim case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bird & Bird, Clifford Chance face off in payments dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bird-bird-clifford-chance-face-off-in-payments-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-01-23T17:56:11.000Z This one's a million euro claim for a cancelled project. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morgan Lewis - Telephone Interview Insider (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-telephone-interview-invacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T17:36:19.000Z **In short:** The Morgan Lewis telephone interview is a structured but conversational screening call run by Graduate Recruitment. It focuses heavily on competencies, motivation, and communication style, rather than legal knowledge. Candidates who perform best are those who can clearly evidence their skills with real examples and articulate why the firm makes sense for them. --- ### 🧠 What to expect The interview is typically **25–30 minutes** and follows a clear competency-led format. While the tone is friendly and professional, questions are deliberate and probing. Follow-ups are common, particularly where answers lack detail or reflection. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Shoosmiths, Clifford Chance lead on stranded plane case URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/shoosm/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T17:23:29.000Z Another case in the trend of planes stranded in Russia. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Baker McKenzie, HSF Kramer guide Doc Martens Pension Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/baker-mckenzie-hsf-kramer-guide-doc-martens-pension-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T14:10:16.000Z The pension buy-in trend continues. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughters, Pogust lead on BHP Dam Collapse Appeal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughters-pogust-lead-on-bhp-dam-collapse-appeal/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T14:05:52.000Z This is a landmark deal to discuss in your application. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simmons & Simmons - Playbook URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simmons-simmons-playbook/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T13:30:21.000Z Want to stand out in your **Simmons & Simmons Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Simmons'** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals ⏰ **Deadline:** 31 January --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Simmons & Simmons has a clearly defined sector driven strategy. The firm concentrates on five key sectors Asset Management & Investment Funds, Financial Institutions, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Technology, Media & Telecoms, and now Energy & Infrastructure and it’s investing heavily where client demand is strongest. **Core sectors drive growth:** Simmons’ work is centered on its core industries. In the past year, the firm’s focus on asset management, financial services, life sciences, and TMT paid off with each of these four sectors growing around 7 to 8%, together contributing over 80% of total revenue. This consistent growth underlines that Simmons is aligning its expertise with client demand in these areas such as booming investment funds activity and tech sector deals. **New energy & infrastructure push:** In 2025 the firm added a fifth global sector to its roster by launching the ENRIC group Energy, Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Construction. This move was a response to surging work in energy and infrastructure from renewable power projects to large construction mandates. By unifying over 100 lawyers under ENRIC, Simmons is positioning itself to capture opportunities from the global energy transition and infrastructure boom. For example, the firm’s recognised strength in oil & gas and renewables is now housed in a dedicated sector team led by partner Iain Duncan. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why did Trump back down on Greenland? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-did-trump-back-down-on-greenland/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T17:20:06.000Z For a brief, uneasy moment, Europe found itself staring down something that felt **unthinkable**: a US president openly threatening tariffs and hinting at force over Greenland. Then, almost overnight, **Trump hit pause**. No tariffs. No takeover. Instead, a Nato-brokered “framework” and a vague promise of future talks. So what changed? And **what does this mean for Law Firms**? ### Why Trump Pulled Back Trump’s original move combined two familiar tools from his playbook: **economic pressure** (tariffs) and **maximalist rhetoric** (“we need Greenland”). The aim was leverage. By floating extreme outcomes, he forced allies into emergency mode and dragged Arctic security to the top of the agenda. But the backlash was swift and serious. EU leaders convened an emergency summit. Denmark drew a firm sovereignty line. Nato was pulled in. What began as a pressure tactic risked becoming a full-blown transatlantic crisis, one that threatened US credibility inside its most important alliance. At that point, *Trump pivoted.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-27.png) Meeting Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte gave Trump a face-saving exit. He could claim a “*deal framework*” without actually getting ownership of Greenland, while presenting himself as the architect of a broader Arctic security solution. Crucially, it let him step back from tariffs without looking like he’d been forced to. ### Why the Tariffs were dropped The tariff threat was always conditional. Trump explicitly linked it to EU opposition to his Greenland ambitions. Once he could announce progress, the tariffs became unnecessary and politically costly. Pulling them back achieves **three things**: 1. It avoids an immediate trade war with Europe. 2. It shifts the focus from economic coercion to security cooperation. 3. It keeps the pressure alive without detonating it. For Europe, the relief is real but *fragile*. As one EU official put it, Trump could change his mind tomorrow. ### Why Greenland still matters to the US ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-26.png) Trump wants Greenland for several reasons: - **🪖 Strategic military location:** Greenland sits between North America and Europe and hosts key US radar and defence infrastructure. Control over the island strengthens missile detection and Arctic defence capabilities. - **🚢 Arctic shipping routes:** Melting ice is opening new Arctic sea lanes, making Greenland increasingly important for future global trade routes and naval access. - **🪨 Natural resources:** Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals critical for defence technology, electric vehicles and semiconductors, reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains. The US is also concerned about Russia and China gaining influence in the region. Greenland, sitting between North America and Europe, is a key piece of that puzzle. ### **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells leads on £800M mortgage claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-leads-on-800m-mortgage-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T16:32:02.000Z Claimants want to bring back the £800M claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ropes & Gray - Playbook URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ropes-gray-playbook/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T13:30:33.000Z Want to stand out in your **Ropes & Gray Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Ropes'** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals ⏰ **Deadline:** 31 January --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In Short:** Ropes & Gray’s strategy revolves around its strength in private capital. The firm is best known for private equity and investment funds work, leveraging a transatlantic team to handle big ticket buyouts and complex fund formations. **Private Capital as the Engine:** Private equity sits at the centre of Ropes & Gray’s practice. The firm advises sponsors across the full lifecycle, from fund formation and fundraising through to buyouts, exits and continuation vehicles. Its strong reputation in investment funds and secondaries means it is well placed to support clients in a market where liquidity solutions and innovative deal structures are increasingly in demand. **Full Service Support Around Deals:** Beyond pure M&A, Ropes & Gray offers deep strength in the practices that sit around private capital transactions. In London, this includes acquisition finance, high yield debt, competition, healthcare regulation and data privacy. The firm’s litigation and enforcement team, including a respected corporate crime practice, supports clients when deals lead to disputes or regulatory scrutiny. This breadth allows Ropes & Gray to act as a one stop adviser for sponsors operating in regulated and high risk environments. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Skadden, Wachtell steer $7.4bn asset manager take-private URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/skadden-wachtell-steer-7-4bn-asset-manager-take-private/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T12:07:29.000Z Kirkland and Debevoise are also involved on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A&O Shearman, Cooley lead on $2 billion Food Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-o-shearman-cooley-lead-on-2-billion-food-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T12:00:49.000Z It's a big deal, all about allergy science. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Is the UK heading for an IPO Boom? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/is-the-uk-heading-for-an-ipo-boom/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T13:01:09.000Z After years of quiet trading floors and postponed listings, the UK IPO market is finally showing signs of life. London has struggled to compete with New York and private markets, but a mix of regulatory reform, tax incentives and improving market confidence is changing the picture. **Here's what this means for Law Firms and their clients.** --- ### 1\. Listing in London is becoming quicker and easier One of the biggest barriers to UK IPOs has been complexity. Lengthy prospectuses, long waiting periods and rigid rules made London feel slow and expensive compared to other markets. That friction is being stripped away. The Financial Conduct Authority has shortened the gap between publishing a prospectus and listing, making IPOs faster and more predictable. Companies can also raise money more easily after listing, without having to produce full prospectuses for many follow-on share sales. For businesses thinking about going public, this matters. A smoother process lowers legal costs, reduces uncertainty and makes London feel like a practical option again rather than a regulatory headache. ### 2\. Tax incentives are pulling investors back in ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-22.png) The government has also stepped in with a clear financial sweetener. A three-year stamp duty holiday on shares in newly listed companies makes buying IPO stock cheaper for investors. That might sound minor, but IPOs depend on demand. When investors are more willing to participate, listings are more likely to succeed. Successful IPOs then encourage other companies to follow, creating momentum. Combined with a rising FTSE 100, which recently broke the 10,000 mark for the first time, the overall market mood is improving. Confidence is returning, and IPO markets thrive on confidence. ### 3\. A stronger pipeline is forming for 2026 _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Orrick - Playbook URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/orrick-playbook/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T10:00:56.000Z Want to stand out in your **Orrick Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Orrick’s** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals ⏰ **Deadline:** 31 January --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Orrick’s strategy revolves around key sectors: technology & innovation, energy & infrastructure, finance, and life sciences. **Technology & Innovation:** The firm has cemented its status as a tech focused leader, ranking Top 5 globally for venture capital deals for the past eight years. In 2024 alone, Orrick advised on 1,000+ venture financings worth $45+ billion and 170+ tech M&A deals totaling $29+ billion. To serve rising demand in AI, fintech, crypto, and digital sectors, Orrick made major investments in the tech space by hiring a 14 lawyer startup team in Los Angeles, effectively doubling its Southern California venture practice. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ropes & Gray launches Milan Antitrust Arm URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ropes-gray-launches-milan-antitrust-arm/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T19:14:40.000Z Jacopo Figus Diaz joins as counsel to build FDI and competition strength in Italy. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Eversheds leads on insurance data deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/eversheds-leads-on-insurance-data-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T16:30:10.000Z This deal involves the sale of an insurance data and software. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Stephenson Harwood, HFW lead on oil storage claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/stephenson-harwood-hfw-lead-on-oil-storage-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T11:56:34.000Z The claim concerns millions in unpaid fees for oil storage. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Freshfields, Jones Day advise on Revolut payment claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-jones-day-advise-on-revolut-payment-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T11:52:24.000Z A&O Shearman and Brevan Brittan are also leading on this case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Taylor Wessing, Kirkland face off in Paramount licence dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/taylor-wessing-kirkland-face-off-in-paramount-licence-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T11:36:32.000Z Bird & Bird is also involved in this claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morgan Lewis - Playbook (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-playbook-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T14:08:14.000Z Time's running out on the Morgan Lewis Vac Scheme deadline! Here's a fresh playbook to make you stand out. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Morgan Lewis'** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals **⏰ Deadline:** 21 January --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Morgan Lewis' focus is on disputes, intellectual property, private equity/M&A, and energy transition work. **Litigation & Disputes:** The firm has built up its financial and cross border disputes bench in London, adding litigators like Christian Tuddenham from Jenner & Block to handle complex fraud and multijurisdictional cases. Morgan Lewis lawyers in London recently led a $4.5 billion insurance case forcing insurers to compensate for aircraft stranded in Russia, a high profile win that underscores the firm’s prowess in resolving knotty global disputes. The firm’s competition litigators have also shone. Partners Frances Murphy and Leonidas Theodosiou scored a rare victory overturning a UK regulator’s decision in a pharma antitrust case, showing strength in regulatory and enforcement challenges. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How do Trump's Greenland Tariffs impact Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-do-trumps-greenland-tariffs-impact-law-firms-2/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T12:24:18.000Z Trump's wants **Greenland** and he's threatening tariffs to get it. Here's all you need to know plus what this means for law firms and their clients. **What’s going on?** Trump has reignited tensions by threatening new tariffs on European allies linked to Greenland. He announced a **10% tariff from February**, rising to **25% by June**, on eight European countries, including Denmark, France, Germany and the UK, after they agreed to carry out limited NATO military exercises in Greenland. **Why is Greenland at the centre of this?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-21.png) Trump wants Greenland for several reasons: - **🪖 Strategic military location:** Greenland sits between North America and Europe and hosts key US radar and defence infrastructure. Control over the island strengthens missile detection and Arctic defence capabilities. - **🚢 Arctic shipping routes:** Melting ice is opening new Arctic sea lanes, making Greenland increasingly important for future global trade routes and naval access. - **🪨 Natural resources:** Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals critical for defence technology, electric vehicles and semiconductors, reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains. **💡 Must-know:** Although it is a semi-autonomous territory, it remains part of Denmark and therefore protected by both **NATO’s Article 5** and the EU’s mutual defence clauses. When European allies announced modest military exercises in Greenland, involving only a few dozen troops, Trump responded with tariffs, framing the move as Europe “freeloading” on US security. Senior officials even questioned whether Denmark is capable of “defending” Greenland at all. **What's Europe saying?** EU lawmakers are threatening to **freeze approval of the US-EU trade deal altogether**. That agreement lowered tariffs on US goods in exchange for a 15% US tariff ceiling on most EU exports, a compromise designed to avoid a trade war. France is also pushing for the EU to deploy its **Anti-Coercion Instrument** — a powerful tool allowing retaliatory tariffs, investment restrictions and limits on US firms accessing EU markets. **How did Greenlanders React?** The response in Greenland and Denmark was swift and negative. **Protests broke out across Denmark**, with demonstrators waving Greenlandic flags and rejecting any suggestion that the territory could be bargained over or pressured through tariffs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-20-1.png) **Photographer: Nichlas Pollier/Bloomberg* Greenlandic leaders have stressed that the island’s future is about **self-determination**, not trade leverage. Rather than weakening Europe’s stance, Trump’s threat has **hardened European unity** and elevated Greenland from a strategic talking point to a political red line. **Will the Tariffs actually happen?** Maybe, but not certainly. Trump may rely on tariff powers that are currently under **review by the US Supreme Court**, which could restrict his ability to act unilaterally. Many think the Greenland tariffs are more leverage than policy. **How does this Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gibson Dunn - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gibson-dunn-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T15:35:06.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Gibson Dunn. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top Trends of 2026 - Part 3 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-trends-of-2026-part-3/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T10:00:07.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer**! Welcome back for Part 3 of our Top Trends of 2026 series. Here's more unique trends plus how they impact Law Firms and their clients. **Today's menu:** 🤖 **Tech:** AI & Regs 🛍️ **Retail:** Slowdown time 🚢 **Shipping:** Volatility ON --- ### Technology ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/Graphics---2026-01-13T174224.622.png) Technology and telecoms will be defined by the rapid spread of artificial intelligence in 2026, alongside growing regulatory pressure and rising frustration over monetisation. AI tools are becoming mainstream across industries, but turning experimentation into profits remains difficult. At the same time, massive investment in chips, skills and connectivity is reshaping the foundations of the digital economy. **Why it’s happening** 🤖 **AI adoption outpaces regulation:** Generative AI is rapidly shifting from novelty to normality, with most companies expected to have experimented with AI tools by 2026\. The technology is beginning to deliver genuinely new insights, not just efficiency gains, but regulation is lagging behind. The EU’s AI Act will come fully into force just as adoption accelerates, creating uncertainty for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions. 🧠 **Skills shortages become the real bottleneck:** The main constraint on AI is no longer the technology itself, but the people needed to deploy it effectively. Companies need staff who can embed AI into everyday workflows, manage new risks and rethink how work gets done. Demand for AI-skilled workers is surging, especially in fast-growing markets like India, where large-scale training programmes are ramping up. Firms that underinvest in skills risk seeing limited returns from AI spending. 🖥️ **Chips and connectivity power the next phase:** The AI boom is fuelling heavy investment in infrastructure. Demand for advanced semiconductors is rising as firms seek greater computing power, helping offset weaker growth in consumer electronics. Chipmakers are expanding production across the United States and Asia to strengthen supply and geopolitical resilience. Meanwhile, broader internet access is supporting global AI adoption, even as delays to ambitious satellite connectivity projects underline the challenges of building digital infrastructure at scale. **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top Trends of 2026 - Part 2 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-trends-of-2026-part-2/ Last updated: 2026-01-14T10:00:08.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer**! Welcome to Part 2 of our series on the Top Trends of 2026 and how they impact Law Firms. **Today we're covering:** 📺 **Media:** Streaming rises 🪨 **Mining:** Momentum is back 🏠 **Real Estate:** Recover time? --- ### **Media** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/Graphics---2026-01-13T172758.577.png) Media and entertainment will enter another cycle of disruption in 2026, as attention continues to drift away from traditional television and towards streaming and mobile first formats. Viewers are watching more content than ever, but how and where they watch is changing fast. Legacy broadcasters are being forced to reinvent themselves, while artificial intelligence begins to reshape how films are made and how advertising is created. **Why it’s happening** 📺 **Streaming reshapes viewing habits:** Streaming continues to pull away from traditional TV, especially among younger audiences. While people are still watching hours of content each day, far less of it is scheduled broadcast television. Legacy broadcasters are responding pragmatically, cutting unusual deals with streaming platforms and licensing linear content in a bid to stay visible in an increasingly fragmented attention economy. 🎬 **Media models fracture and adapt:** Mounting pressure on old revenue models is forcing media groups to break themselves apart. Cable businesses are being carved off from faster growing streaming and studio arms, while familiar franchises are leaned on heavily to steady subscriber numbers and reduce risk. At the same time, Hollywood faces new competition from smartphone first micro dramas, signalling a deeper shift in how stories are produced, packaged and consumed. 🤖 **AI and scale redefine advertising:** Artificial intelligence is moving decisively into creative and commercial territory, from film production to fully automated advertising campaigns. While this threatens traditional agencies, overall ad spending is holding up, helped by major global sporting events that still command mass audiences. Even in a tech driven media world, reach, spectacle and scale remain powerful commercial assets. **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How do Trump's Iran Tariffs impact Law Firms? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-do-trumps-iran-tariffs-impact-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T14:20:03.000Z Trump just announced more tariffs (*shock)*.This time he's targeting any country trading with Iran. Here's all you need to know plus what this means for law firms and their clients. **What’s Going On?** Donald Trump has announced a new trade threat: **any country that does business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all goods it exports to the United States**. The tariff is said to be “effective immediately” but key details, like which transactions count and how enforcement would work, remain unclear. This isn’t a *direct* sanction on Iran but it puts pressure on the country. The idea is simple: make trading with Iran so expensive that other countries back away. **Why is this Happening?** The move comes as **Iran faces its biggest wave of unrest in decades**. Protests that began over economic collapse and a currency crisis have morphed into open challenges to the regime itself. Hundreds have reportedly been killed, and thousands arrested. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-19.png) **Photographer: Khoshiran/AFP/Getty Images* Trump has openly backed protesters and warned Iran against violent crackdowns. The tariff threat is part of a broader strategy to **corner Tehran economically and politically**, while signalling toughness both at home and abroad. **Who Gets Hit First?** The real targets aren’t just Iran, they’re **Iran’s trading partners**. - **China** is Iran’s largest oil buyer. A fresh 25% tariff on Chinese goods could seriously destabilise the fragile US-China trade truce. - **India** has limited trade with Iran, but major strategic exposure through its investment in **Chabahar port**, a key route into Central Asia. - **Turkey and Middle Eastern states** with ongoing commercial ties to Iran could also be caught in the crossfire. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-18.png) Source: Bloomberg, Trade Data Monitor via WTO **Who can stop these tariffs?** A looming **US Supreme Court decision** could derail everything. The court is about to rule on whether Trump’s existing global tariffs are lawful. If the justices rein him in, his ability to impose rapid, sweeping duties on Iran’s partners may be sharply limited. **How does this Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top Trends of 2026 - Part 1 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-trends-of-2026-part-1/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T10:59:21.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer**! Wouldn't it be nice to know the key business trends coming up in 2026 plus how to discuss them in interviews? That's exactly what we've got for you today. Use these trends to impress in your applications, interviews and ACs! **Today we're covering:** **🔋 Energy:** Which energy will dominate? **🚗 Automotive:** Slowdown time **👩‍⚕️ Healthcare:** Spending keeps rising --- ### Energy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/Graphics---2026-01-13T103719.502.png) Global energy demand will grow only modestly in 2026, but the energy mix itself is changing fast. Slower economic growth and efficiency gains will keep overall demand increases muted, while renewables continue to reshape how power is generated. Carbon emissions will rise only slightly as clean energy overtakes coal in electricity generation for the first time. However, the global transition remains uneven, with progress in some regions offset by backsliding in others. **Why it’s happening** **🌿 Renewables pull ahead, led by China:** Renewable energy is becoming the backbone of global power generation. In 2026, renewables excluding hydropower will account for more than 30 percent of electricity production, overtaking coal. China is driving much of this shift, adding vast amounts of wind and solar capacity at a scale unmatched anywhere else. While China’s coal emissions are expected to start falling, hopes of a rapid global decline in coal use will fade as demand continues to rise elsewhere. **🛢️ Gas and oil remain resilient:** Fossil fuels are far from disappearing. Global oil production growth will slow as prices ease, dampening drilling activity even in markets supportive of fossil fuel development. Natural gas demand, however, remains strong. Rising production costs and global demand for liquefied natural gas are keeping prices buoyant. Countries from Australia to the Middle East are expanding LNG output, while Europe continues to invest in new import terminals despite falling regional gas prices. **🤖 Electricity demand rises with AI:** The rapid expansion of data centres is reshaping electricity demand. Power consumption is set to rise sharply as artificial intelligence systems require vast amounts of reliable energy. This is prompting renewed interest in nuclear power, with countries such as France and Japan bringing reactors back online and China pushing ahead with new builds. At the same time, longer term solutions like nuclear fusion and geothermal energy are gaining attention as governments search for scalable, low carbon power sources. **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith, Debevoise lead on Pension Buy-In Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-debevoise-lead-on-pension-buy-in-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T12:13:37.000Z Eversheds Sutherland is also leading on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Browne Jacobson - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/browne-jacobson-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T11:38:15.000Z Want to stand out in your **Browne Jacobson** Vacation Scheme application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Browne Jacobson’s** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals **⏰ Deadline:** 1 February --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Browne Jacobson is investing in high-growth practice areas, think private equity deals, technology and life sciences, and complex disputes, while doubling down on its public sector roots. **Tech & Life Sciences:** The firm is investing heavily in tech-related work and health and life sciences. In 2025 it hired a veteran IT and AI partner to spearhead its technology and life sciences practice, acknowledging the boom in AI, digital health, and biotech. This aligns with Browne Jacobson’s history in healthcare, advising NHS bodies and universities, and positions it at the cutting edge of emerging tech law. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top Litigation Trends of 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-litigation-trends-of-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-09T14:00:31.000Z Want to impress law firms with some slick commercial awareness? *You're in the right place.* In 2026, litigation sits at the crossroads of regulation, technology, transparency and public trust. For law firms, disputes work is becoming more scrutinised, more strategic and more closely tied to reputational risk. Below we have broken down the key litigation trends to understand in 2026. --- ### 1\. Litigation funding is being rebuilt **What is litigation funding?** Litigation funding allows a third party to pay the legal costs of a case in return for a share of the damages if the claim succeeds. It is particularly important for large claims, class actions and cases where the claimant could not otherwise afford to sue. **What is changing in 2026?** A Supreme Court decision called ***PACCAR*** ruled that many funding agreements were technically unlawful. This caused major disruption. Funders pulled back. Some claims stalled. Others were never brought at all. In late 2025, the Government agreed that this went too far and committed to new legislation to reverse *PACCAR* and introduce proportionate regulation of funders. The law is expected in 2026, although the exact timing remains unclear. **Why this matters for law firms** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How does Venezuela's Shock Turn impact Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-does-venezuelas-shock-turn-impact-law-firms/ Last updated: 2026-01-09T10:00:32.000Z By Saturday afternoon, just hours after US forces captured Venezuelan president **Nicolás Maduro** and his wife, partners at major law firms were already fielding urgent questions from energy clients. The reason was simple. A sudden and dramatic shift in **Venezuela’s** political landscape had opened the door to future business in one of the most oil-rich countries in the world. ### What happened? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-13.png) In an unprecedented move, US military forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transferred them to the United States. Both later pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism conspiracy charges in federal court in Manhattan. The operation threw Venezuela’s already fragile governance into deeper uncertainty and sent ripples through global energy markets. Venezuela matters because of scale. The country holds roughly 17 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves, estimated at around 303 billion barrels. Yet production has collapsed over the last two decades after asset seizures under Hugo Chávez, chronic underinvestment, corruption and decaying infrastructure. Energy companies such as ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips have previously brought multi-billion-dollar claims against the state, while Chevron continues limited production under special US licences. ### What does this mean for Law Firms? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May, Stephenson Harwood head pension buy-in deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-stephenson-harwood-head-pension-buy-in-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T14:57:13.000Z Walker Morris is also advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Willkie guides Chemical Acquisition URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/willkie-guides-chemical-acquisition/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T13:23:59.000Z The private equity deal is set to reshape the chemical portfolio. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gibson Dunn - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gibson-dunn-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T10:00:30.000Z Want to stand out in your **Gibson Dunn** Vacation Scheme application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook covers 🧠 **Gibson Dunn’s** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Gibson Dunn is zeroing in on energy infrastructure private equity M&A and high stakes disputes as key growth areas. Recent deals and hires show the firm strengthening these practices to meet surging client demand. **Details:** **Energy & Infrastructure:** The firm has aggressively expanded its energy and infrastructure practice worldwide. For example Gibson Dunn welcomed back a partner from Ares Management to its New York Energy & Infrastructure group in 2025 citing strong demand for sophisticated transactions across asset classes and geographies. In London the hire of prominent energy M&A lawyer Simon Tysoe from Latham & Watkins in October 2025 built on a strategic push in energy transition and renewables deals. This focus aligns with client demand for advice on infrastructure investments and the energy transition such as renewables and digital infrastructure projects. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Shoosmiths, DWF lead on stranded plane dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/shoosmiths/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T17:49:12.000Z Morgan Lewis is also advising on the claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Travers Smith - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/travers-smith-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T13:30:06.000Z Want to stand out in your **Travers Smith** Vacation Scheme application Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them This Playbook covers 🧠 **Travers Smith’s** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Travers Smith is zeroing in on high value work. It has emphasized its core practices transactional deals disputes & investigations and complex advisory services to drive profitable growth. **Strategic focus:** The firm is prioritising more profitable revenue in strategic areas transactions disputes and investigations and complex advisory mandates. In practice this means doubling down on private equity and M&A deals long a Travers Smith forte while also growing litigation and regulatory advisory work. This balanced focus helps diversify revenue as private equity markets remain ultra competitive. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Secret M&A Trend of 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/the-secret-m-a-trend-of-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T10:10:35.000Z The UK pensions market is on track for a blockbuster period. Deal volumes could reach **£55 billion in 2026**, surpassing the previous high set in 2023\. What makes this striking is not just the size of the numbers, but the speed and consistency of growth: 2025 is expected to mark the **third consecutive year** in which pension deal volumes exceed £40 billion. Pensions may not sound glamorous, but right now they are *hot stuff* and this trend can help you impress your dream law firm. --- ### Why Pension Buy-Ins Are Surging A pension buy-in allows a pension scheme to transfer the risk of paying member benefits to an insurer in exchange for a large premium. **What's a pension buy-in?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham, Willkie, Dentons advise on insurance PE deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-willkie-dentons-advise-on-insurance-pe-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T09:08:32.000Z McDermott Will & Schulte is also involved on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kirkland, Bird & Bird face off in Paramount Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kirkland-bird-bird-face-off-in-paramount-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T16:17:32.000Z The claim relates to the use of video patents and fair terms. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Addleshaw Goddard advises on Shein IP Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/addleshaw-goddard-leads-on-shein-ip-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T15:48:45.000Z The claim alleges copying of hundreds of photographs. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### DAC Beachcroft leads on Hilton £3 million Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dac-beachcroft-leads-on-hilton-3-million-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T15:06:20.000Z The claim relates to serious fire safety defects discovered in the hotel. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Milbank - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/milbank-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T14:00:44.000Z Want to stand out in your **Milbank** Vacation Scheme application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook covers 🧠 Milbank’s strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Milbank is prioritising high end finance and tech driven transactions. The firm’s recent moves show a laser focus on leveraged finance private equity and infrastructure especially where London and New York deal markets intersect. **Finance (Leveraged and Complex Finance):** In early 2025 Milbank made headlines by launching a first of its kind leveraged finance training contract in London. This exclusive LevFin Track channels new trainees straight into the firm’s renowned leveraged finance team which is a clear sign that Milbank is doubling down on its strength in debt finance and capital markets. The firm explicitly said this aligns with its New York London focus on the most complex cross border finance deals. In practice it means Milbank wants lawyers who can handle transatlantic leveraged buyouts high yield bond issuances and sophisticated lending for private equity clients. It is a direct response to client demand in booming leveraged finance and a way to grow home grown specialists in that arena. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top Litigation Cases of 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-litigation-cases-of-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T09:45:37.000Z Want to impress law firms in your applications and interviews? Then you need to know the **top cases** going through the Courts in **2026** and how they impact Law Firms and their clients! --- ### **Innsworth v Mastercard: Who Really Wins a Class Action?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/Graphics---2026-01-03T113130.504.png) **What is this case about?** The claim, brought by Walter Merricks on behalf of around 46 million UK consumers, alleged that Mastercard’s unlawful interchange fees were passed on to shoppers through higher prices. Originally valued at up to £14 billion, the case became the UK’s largest-ever consumer class action before **settling** in 2024 for £200 million. **Now**, litigation funder Innsworth is challenging how the Competition Appeal Tribunal approved the distribution of the £200 million settlement reached with Walter Merricks. The funder argues the CAT misunderstood key authorities and ignored the agreed funding terms when it capped Innsworth’s return at around £68 million. Innsworth is not challenging the size of the settlement itself. The argument is about whether courts can retrospectively reshape commercial funding arrangements once a case is over. **Why does it matter for Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HSF Kramer leads on Nigerian Oil and Gas Sale URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hsf-kramer-leads-on-nigerian-oil-and-gas-sale/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T14:15:59.000Z Maurel & Prom is selling its final stake in a Nigerian oil and gas company. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simpson Thacher leads on Oakley Capital deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simpson-thacher-leads-on-oakley-capital-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T13:55:40.000Z A major deal in the private credit space. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Milbank, White & Case advise on Mining Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/milbank-white-case-advise-on-mining-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T12:53:37.000Z Paul Hastings is also leading on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Key Trends Shaping Law Firms in 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/key-trends-shaping-law-firms-in-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T09:45:45.000Z Law firms like to ask 'what are the key challenges you see for our firm in the coming year?'. That's the type of question desgined to throw you in a panic and see how you think on the spot. But what if you knew what key trends top law firm leaders will be dealing with in 2026? Well, that's what we've got for you today. From AI, to size, and revenue. We've broken down the top trends that will shape law firm operations in 2026 so you can use them to impress in applications and interviews. --- ### **1\. Consolidation is Strategic, Not Optional** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/Graphics---2026-01-03T111212.461.png) Law firm mergers are no longer rare or reactive. Since 2023, the market has seen a steady drumbeat of major combinations, culminating in transatlantic mergers that create truly global platforms (most recently Winston Taylor). These moves are driven by client demand for joined-up advice across jurisdictions, especially in areas like private capital, disputes, antitrust and regulatory work. But consolidation is not limited to elite firms. Rising employment costs, higher taxation on partner profits and the growing cost of technology investment are putting pressure on firms across the market. With fewer firms operating in the UK than five years ago, 2026 is likely to bring more mid-market tie-ups, private equity involvement and quiet exits. **How to use this in an application or interview:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HFW - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hfw-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-04T13:25:47.000Z Want to stand out in your **HFW Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook covers: 🧠 HFW’s strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** HFW is sticking to what it does best sector focused law in areas like shipping, insurance, energy, commodities, and construction and it’s paying off. Every core practice group grew revenue last year. **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Must-Know M&A Trends of 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/must-know-m-a-trends-of-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-04T10:00:44.000Z After two slow years, 2026 is shaping up to be a more active year for mergers and acquisitions in the UK. Inflation is falling, markets are steadier and political uncertainty eased after the government’s autumn Budget. None of this means deals will suddenly explode. What it does mean is that companies and investors are starting to feel confident enough to act. **Here's the top M&A trends of 2026 and how you can use them to impress in your applications and interviews.** --- ### Private Equity Is Under Pressure to Sell ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image-4-1.png) **What is happening** Private equity firms buy companies with the aim of improving them and selling them on for a profit, usually within five to seven years. Many of those timelines have now been stretched. Global uncertainty, higher interest rates and weak markets meant sponsors delayed selling rather than accept low prices. Private equity firms are now sitting on a large number of businesses they expected to have sold already. At the same time, their investors want cash returned before committing more money to new funds. With markets stabilising, 2026 looks like the moment when many of these delayed exits finally come to market. **Why it matters** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bird & Bird - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bird-bird-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T15:52:53.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Bird & Bird Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Bird & Bird. ### Assessment Centre Insider _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Clifford Chance advises on in-car tech deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/clifford-chance-advises-on-in-car-tech-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T15:00:59.000Z The deal involves key smart camera and driver assistance technology. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Jones Day - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jones-day-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T14:00:02.000Z Want to stand out in your **Jones Day** Vacation Scheme application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook covers: 🧠 **Jones Day’s** strategy for growth 👥 Insights from recent hires 🌍 Office expansion insights 📊 Must-know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Jones Day is doubling down on key sectors like energy/infrastructure, M&A/private equity, and global disputes, underpinned by a drive to stay ahead in emerging areas (tech, life sciences) and anticipate new legal risks (like climate or AI issues). **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Travers Smith - Video Interview (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/travers-smith-video-interview-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T13:58:37.000Z What to expect from the **Travers Smith Video Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Travers Smith - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/travers-smith-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T13:48:54.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Travers Smith Summer Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **successful Travers Smith Summer Vacation Scheme application** A Cover Letter, and answers to: - **Interests and achievements** - **Please give details of any positions of responsibility and achievements or awards at school, university or elsewhere** ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Farrer & Co - Application Insider (Training Contract) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/farrer-co-application-insider-training-contract/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T21:18:21.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Farrer & Co TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Farrer & Co TC application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes each answer stand out and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - What motivates you to pursue a career in law and become a solicitor? - In what ways have your academic studies, qualifications, and work experience equipped you for a legal career? - Outside of formal education and work experience, what steps have you taken to prepare for a career in law and why have these experiences been useful? - Why have you chosen to apply to Farrer & Co? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Squire Patton Boggs - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/squire-patton-boggs-application-insider-summer-scheme-2026-copy/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T12:21:44.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Squire Patton Boggs Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Squire Patton Boggs Vacation Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes each answer stand out and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Please argue whether you are for or against stricter regulation of social media (300 words max) **⏱️ Deadline:** 5 January ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### RPC - Application Insider (Summer Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/rpc-application-insider-summer-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T12:17:34.000Z Here's how you can ace your **RPC Summer Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **RPC Summer Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes each answer stand out and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - **In what ways do you see yourself as ‘strikingly real’, and how does that connect with your motivation to apply here and your confidence in succeeding? (300 words max)** **⏱️ Deadline:** 12 January ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top IP Cases of 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-ip-cases-of-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T10:00:18.000Z In 2025, judges quietly pushed the boundaries on some of the hot topics in IP law including how generative AI interacts with copyright and how far patent disputes can stretch across borders. Here’s how the year’s biggest IP decisions reshaped the IP litigation playbook, and how you can use them to **stand out in applications and interviews**. --- ### **Getty Images v. Stability AI** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2026/01/image.png) **What is this case about?** Getty Images sued Stability AI in the English High Court, alleging that the developer’s generative AI model infringed its intellectual property rights. The case was widely expected to answer the question hanging over the creative industries: does training AI on copyrighted material amount to infringement? Midway through the trial, Getty dropped its core copyright claims, leaving the court to decide narrower issues. The High Court ultimately found that a limited number of AI-generated images infringed Getty’s trademarks, but rejected arguments that the AI model itself infringed copyright. Crucially, the court held that the model was not an “infringing copy,” that importing it into the U.K. did not amount to infringement, and that the model’s internal weights did not store copyrighted works. Permission to appeal was granted in December, recognising the novelty of the issues. **Why does it matter?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Baker McKenzie advises on multi-million insurance deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/baker-mckenzie-advises-on-multi-million-insurance-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T16:25:08.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Baker McKenzie - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/baker-mckenzie-ac-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T16:17:57.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Baker McKenzie Vacation Scheme Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Baker McKenzie. ### Assessment Centre Insider _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### CMS leads on Aussie £110 million deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cms-leads-on-aussie-110-million-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T15:27:31.000Z It's a key deal in the hot water appliances sector. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Lewis Silkin leads on Dryrobe Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/lewis-silkin-leads-on-dryrobe-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T10:29:28.000Z Addleshaw Goddard and Lewis Silkin faced off in this dryrobe dispute. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Lewis Silkin - Application Insider (Training Contract September 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/lewis-silkin-application-insider-training-contract-september-2028/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T17:21:43.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Lewis Silkin Training Contract** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Lewis Silkin TC application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes each answer stand out and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - What skills are most important in a successful lawyer? Please give examples of when you have demonstrated these skills? - Why are you and Lewis Silkin right for each other? - Please give a recent example of a goal you have set yourself and describe how you have demonstrated determination, resilience, perseverance, and drive to achieve it. - Provide an instance from your academic or extracurricular experience where you collaborated effectively with your peers to accomplish a shared objective. Highlight your role, communication skills, and contributions, showcasing your aptitude as a trainee solicitor. - Is there anything else that you would like us to consider when reviewing your application? What makes you stand out from the crowd? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Withers - Video Interview (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/withers-video-interview-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T09:58:50.000Z What to expect from the **Withers Video Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Osborne Clarke, Squire Patton advise on investment deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/osborne-clarke-squire-patton-advise-on-investment-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T09:51:55.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Forsters, Dentons lead on Luxury Hotel Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/forsters-dentons-lead-on-luxury-hotel-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T09:43:43.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham & Watkins - AC Insider (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-watkins-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T11:36:19.000Z Here is a detailed insight of what to expect from the **Latham & Watkins Vacation Scheme** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Skadden, King & Spalding lead on £5 billion Insurance Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/skadden-king-spalding-lead-on-5-billion-insurance-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T15:35:17.000Z A key deal for a major US player's entry into the UK market. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Norton Rose, Taylor Wessing lead on £200M Bank Refinancing Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/norton-rose-taylor-wessing-lead-on-200m-bank-refinancing-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T11:02:48.000Z This dispute is about a failed refinancing linked to a luxury serviced apartment complex in Mayfair. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Interview Ace: Top Law Firm Trends of 2026 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/interview-ace-top-law-firm-trends-of-2026/ Last updated: 2025-12-24T11:00:34.000Z Whether you're drafting applications, or preparing for interviews, you need to know the key trends that will be hitting law firms and their clients in the new year. That's what we're here for. We've prepared this insight for you so you can focus on the holidays without the stress! ✨ Our new **Interview Ace** series is designed to give you the key trends that will impact law firms and their clients each month from all practice areas. Pick out the ones that interest you and go impress your dream firm. --- **👷 Employment** ### 1\. Big changes to workplace rules A big new law just came into force: the **Employment Rights Act 2025**. This Act updates large parts of UK employment law, the rules that govern the relationship between employers and employees. It covers things like: - how easy it is to dismiss an employee - limits on so-called “fire and rehire” practices - new rules around zero-hours and low-hours contracts - stronger protections against sexual and third-party harassment - expanded rights to flexible working, sick pay and family leave. Although most of these changes will be phased in during 2026, businesses already know the direction of travel. Dismissals will carry more legal risk, workplace complaints will need to be handled more carefully, and flexibility will increasingly be expected rather than requested. **What does this mean for Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case - Video Interview (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-video-interview-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T09:59:00.000Z What to expect from the **White & Case Video Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May - Video Interview URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-video-interview/ Last updated: 2025-12-22T11:16:21.000Z What to expect from the **Slaughter and May Video Interview** for a Vacation Scheme taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Top 6 AI M&A Trends URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/top-6-ai-m-a-trends/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T14:04:57.000Z AI has become one of the most powerful forces reshaping corporate deals and strategy. Its market value is expected to grow **25-fold** to US$4.8 trillion by 2033(!). So to **impress in applications and interviews** is essential for you to know: - What are the key trends in AI M&A - How they impact Law Firms and their clients This report gives you all the points you need to know with 0 stress. *Enjoy!* --- ### Trend 1: AI is now key to M&A ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/12/image-9.png) **What’s happening** AI is no longer an experimental add-on sitting quietly inside R&D budgets. It has moved squarely into the boardroom. In 2025, tech M&A surged to almost $900bn globally, with AI demand underpinning a significant proportion of those deals. Businesses across financial services, life sciences, retail, and industrials are all chasing AI-driven efficiencies and competitive edge. What’s striking is how quickly the narrative has shifted. M&A in this space is now focused on plugging immediate capability gaps before competitors do. **Why it matters for Law Firms** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley elects 29 New Partners Across U.S. and Europe URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-elects-29-new-partners-across-u-s-and-europe/ Last updated: 2025-12-14T09:55:11.000Z London private equity and disputes lawyers among those promoted for 2026. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simmons & Simmons boosts U.S. Securities team URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simmons-simmons-boosts-u-s-securities-team/ Last updated: 2025-12-14T09:51:41.000Z Ben Novick joins as counsel to bolster IPO and cross-border deal capabilities. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Taylor Wessing Eyes U.S. Expansion in Winston & Strawn Merger Talks URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/taylor-wessing-eyes-u-s-expansion-in-winston-strawn-merger-talks/ Last updated: 2025-12-14T09:47:33.000Z **In Short: Taylor Wessing** is in merger talks with **Chicago-based Winston & Strawn**, aiming to strengthen its presence in the competitive U.S. legal market. If completed, the deal would mark the fourth major **UK–U.S. transatlantic tie-up** since 2023, signalling a structural shift in global legal services as firms seek to match scale with client expectations. **Key Points to Discuss:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Simpson Thacher leads on marketing agency dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/simpson-thacher-leads-on-marketing-agency-dispute/ Last updated: 2025-12-14T09:39:59.000Z It's a multi-million pound settlement. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Weekend Memo: Streaming War URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/weekend-memo-streaming-war/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T12:12:39.000Z Welcome to our Weekend Memo! Here's all the news you need to know from this past week. 🎬 Paramount-Netflix battle 🤖 Trump's Nvidia chip deal ✈️ Boeing to win order race 🚀 SpaceX targets 2026 IPO 🧑‍💻 Linklaters leads on Microsoft dispute 🗺️ Latham, Travers on software bid 💳 Ashurst, CC, Weil on payments deal --- ### Top 3 News of the Week ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/12/image-5.png) 🎬 **Hollywood just entered full Hunger Games mode.** Netflix kicked off a friendly **$83bn bid** for Warner Bros Discovery — only for **Paramount** to storm in with a **hostile $108bn offer** for the *whole* company. Trump immediately hinted he might block Netflix’s deal on **antitrust** grounds. Paramount’s owner, David Ellison (backed by dad **Larry Ellison** of Oracle), reportedly phoned Trump right after Netflix’s announcement. Paramount had long been the favourite Warner Bros comes with *Harry Potter*, DC films, HBO shows, the works. 🌏 **China’s annual trade surplus** smashed past **$1 trillion** for the first time, hitting **$1.1tn** in the first 11 months of 2025\. China’s exports to the US collapsed thanks to tariffs, but Beijing simply shifted its customers especially toward the **EU**, where exports jumped. 🤖 Trump says he’ll let **Nvidia** sell its **H200 chips** in China **if** the US government gets a **25% cut** of the revenue (zero details provided, obviously). The H200 is older tech than Nvidia’s Blackwell and Rubin chips, so Beijing isn’t too excited anyway. Chinese officials are now discussing how to **reduce dependence on Nvidia altogether** by pushing domestic semiconductor development. --- ### Sector Focus ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-13-at-11.56.20.png) 💻 **Tech:** Oracle scared Wall Street after reporting weak guidance for the quarter and announcing it will add another $15bn in data-center spending. Investors love AI growth but they’re getting nervous about how much cash big tech is burning to keep up (that's why you keep hearing about the risk of an **AI bubble**). Oracle’s miss reignited fears that the AI boom may not be boosting profits fast enough to justify the investment frenzy. 💸 **Finance:** The Federal Reserve cut rates by 0.25 percentage points to 3.5%–3.75%, exposing a split inside the bank: some want cuts to support the weak labour market, others want to stay tight to finish off inflation. It’s probably the last Fed meeting before Trump picks a successor to Jerome Powell. Rumour says he favours Kevin Hassett. Expect markets to get jittery — Fed chairs matter *a lot*. **🔋 Energy:** A federal judge **struck down Trump’s ban** on new **wind-power projects**, calling the order **“arbitrary”** and lacking any valid justification. It’s a big win for the wind industry, though Biden-era clean-energy incentives are gone and the overall political environment is still hostile. Courts can protect projects but they can’t force Trump to like turbines. --- ### Quick News ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/12/image-7-1.png) 🛫 India ordered **IndiGo**, its biggest airline, to cut **10% of flights** to stabilise operations after mass cancellations caused by a **pilot shortage**. The government even relaxed new rest-time rules specifically for IndiGo — infuriating the pilots’ union. It’s a messy look for an airline that normally dominates India’s skies. ✈️ **Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury** admitted Boeing will likely **beat Airbus in aircraft orders** this year for the first time in six years. Boeing’s comeback is powered by huge demand for its **787 jet** and… Trump’s help in trade politics. Airbus still leads in deliveries, but Boeing now has momentum again. 🥤 **PepsiCo** struck a deal with activist hedge fund **Elliott Management**, agreeing to cut costs and lift margins to avoid a brutal proxy fight. Elliott won’t take a board seat, meaning Pepsi gets to keep control — but with a very loud, very watchful investor breathing down its neck. 🚀 **SpaceX is planning an IPO** as early as the second half of **2026**, aiming to raise **at least $25bn** — one of the biggest listings *ever*. The timing may shift, but if it goes ahead, it will be the most-watched IPO in years. Space + hype + Musk = markets will lose their minds. --- ### Law Firm News _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Clifford Chance, Ashurst lead on payment co buy-out URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/clifford-chance-ashurst-lead-on-payment-co-buy-out/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T11:50:03.000Z Weil Gotshal & Manges and Linklaters are also advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham, Travers advise on Map Software Takeover URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-travers-advise-on-map-software-takeover/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T11:44:12.000Z The mapping software company is considering a big premium deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Linklaters leads on Microsoft Cloud Class Action URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/linklaters-leads-on-microsoft-cloud-class-action/ Last updated: 2025-12-13T11:36:52.000Z Microsoft is trying to stop a £2.1 billion class action in its tracks. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Linklaters leads on Oranges Case URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/linklaters-leads-on-oranges-case/ Last updated: 2025-12-11T12:50:47.000Z More than 1,400 Brazilian orange farmers have lost their bid to sue the estate of José Luís Cutrale. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fieldfisher leads on Toy Maker Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fieldfisher-leads-on-toy-maker-claim/ Last updated: 2025-12-11T10:24:15.000Z Fieldfisher is leading on this huge £90 million claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### DWF advises on Oatly trade mark drama URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dwf-advises-on-oatly-trade-mark-drama/ Last updated: 2025-12-11T10:17:32.000Z Oatly is urging the UK Supreme Court to reinstate its trademark “Post Milk Generation". _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Zuck wants AI profits URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-zuck-wants-ai-profits/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T17:42:42.000Z Good evening **ZipLawyer!** Here’sthe news you need to know today. 🤖 Zuck pivots to for-profit AI 🇩🇰 Denmark says US is a risk 🪽 Hogan Lovells wins Red Bull design case ⛏️ Kirkland, CC head mining settlement 🧑‍💻 Linklaters, Kirkland lead tech deal --- ### What you need to know today - 🤝 The UK just went **“all in” on Aukus**, doubling down on its submarine alliance with the US and Australia after Washington finally signed off. Britain’s putting **billions** on the table to build a new fleet of nuclear-powered subs — a massive strategic swing aimed at countering China. It’s the clearest sign yet that the UK wants a front-row seat in Indo-Pacific security and is willing to spend big to get it. - 💶 **Christine Lagarde** says the ECB is ready to **upgrade Europe’s growth outlook**, thanks to surprising resilience against **US tariffs**, a solid job market and a steady euro. With Q3 growth hitting **0.3%**, officials now think there’s **no need for more rate cuts,** and some even hint the next move could be a **hike**. - 🇬🇧 **Keir Starmer** shot down the idea of a **new customs union** with the EU, warning it could blow up UK trade deals with the **US and India**, especially in sectors like cars and pharma. Parliament backed the proposal in a symbolic vote, but most Labour MPs quietly abstained. - 🇩🇰 **Denmark’s** intelligence service labelled the **US a potential security risk**. The concern? Washington’s growing use of economic and tech power — even on its allies. The report cites old Trump–Greenland drama and broader doubts about whether America would really show up in a crisis. ### **Zuck pivots to for-profit AI** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/12/image-4.png) **What’s going on here?** Mark Zuckerberg (aka ***Zuck***) is taking the reins of Meta’s AI unit and steering the company away from its long-held open-source philosophy, building a closed, paid AI model dubbed **Avocado*,* a sharp pivot that mirrors rivals like OpenAI and Google. **What does this mean?** After years of preaching transparency, Meta is tightening the gates. Its new model will reportedly be “*closed*,” meaning access will be sold and control kept in-house. The shift comes after *Llama 4* failed to impress Silicon Valley, leading Zuckerberg to bench parts of his open-source team, bring in Alexandr Wang (of Scale AI fame), and invest billions into a new elite AI lab called *TBD*. This move marks a philosophical flip: Meta once compared open-source AI to Android’s free-for-all innovation; now it’s chasing Apple-style exclusivity. **The goal?** Monetisation, control, and a competitive edge in the race toward “superintelligence.” But the stakes are sky-high, Wall Street is already fretting over Meta’s $600 billion AI spend, and regulators in Europe are watching closely. If *Avocado* flops, Zuckerberg’s expensive bet on secrecy could leave Meta’s AI ambitions half-baked. **How does this impact Law Firms?** **🤖 Technology, IP and Commercial:** Meta’s shift from open-source to a closed, paid AI model means a wholesale redesign of how its technology is licensed, monetised, and protected. Lawyers will be pulled into drafting new licensing frameworks, negotiating access tiers for enterprise clients, and ring-fencing proprietary model weights and training data. With Meta now chasing Apple-style exclusivity, lawyers will also help build *robust IP protection strategies* to prevent leakage of model architecture or training datasets. - **Example of work:** A lawyer may draft **a bespoke enterprise AI deployment licence**, setting out strict usage limits, data-handling terms, liability caps for model hallucinations, and audit rights ensuring customers don’t reverse-engineer the model. **🔍 Regulatory and Data Protection Law:** Moving to a closed model with paid access invites heavy regulatory scrutiny, particularly from the EU which has already expressed concern about the concentration of power among a small group of private AI developers. The new Avocado model will likely trigger assessments under the EU AI Act, DMA, and GDPR, especially around transparency, high-risk categorisation and model governance. Lawyers will guide Meta through regulatory impact assessments and design internal compliance frameworks to justify the philosophical flip toward secrecy. - **Example of work:** A lawyer may conduct **an EU AI Act High-Risk System Assessment**, mapping Avocado’s capabilities, identifying risk classifications, drafting technical documentation, and preparing disclosures required for deployment in the EU market. **⚔️ Competition and Antitrust Law:** Meta locking down its AI ecosystem—and doing so after hiring elite AI talent and abruptly sidelining its open-source strategy—will raise eyebrows among global regulators already probing Big Tech dominance. Lawyers will assess whether Meta’s pivot could be interpreted as foreclosing competition or creating unfair advantages through vertical integration of chips, compute, and AI models. They’ll also advise on engagement with regulators in the UK, EU and US as they scrutinise Meta’s massive AI spending and exclusive access strategy. - **Example of work:** A competition lawyer may prepare **a competition risk memorandum** analysing whether Meta’s closed-model licensing terms could be deemed exclusionary, and advising on adjustments to avoid enforcement action by the CMA or European Commission. --- ### **Law Firm News** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### UK is all-in on Aukus Deal with US and Australia URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/uk-is-all-in-on-aukus-deal-with-us-and-australia/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T16:46:13.000Z **What’s going on here?** The UK has gone “all in” on the Aukus pact after a long-awaited US review gave the green light, committing billions to build a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines alongside the US and Australia. **What does this mean?** Aukus — the trilateral defence pact between the UK, US, and Australia — is shifting from talk to action. The goal? Strengthen military deterrence against China in the Indo-Pacific by developing the SSN-Aukus, the most powerful submarine ever to patrol Royal Navy waters. Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey pledged £6bn towards submarine infrastructure and £220mn for upgrades at BAE’s Barrow-in-Furness shipyard, where the vessels will be built. The move locks the UK into a decades-long defence partnership that could shape global power balances well into the 2040s. But not everyone’s cheering: critics in Washington worry about exporting submarines when US shipyards are already stretched thin. Still, with President Trump’s administration declaring Aukus “full steam ahead,” sceptics seem sidelined — and Britain is betting big on underwater diplomacy. **How does this Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells leads on Red Bull win URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-leads-on-red-bull-win/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T16:10:10.000Z This one is all about vodka. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Clifford Chance, Kirkland advise on mining settlement URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/clifford-chance-kirkland-advise-on-mining-settlement/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T16:01:19.000Z Two Brazilian investment funds have quietly settled their dispute. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kirkland, Linklaters lead on Tech Service Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kirkland-linklaters-lead-on-tech-service-deal/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T16:31:17.000Z The move supercharges the tech group's American presence. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Debevoise - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/debevoise-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T10:00:02.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Debevoise Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Debevoise Vacation Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes each answer stand out and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Please explain why you have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor and what has attracted you to Debevoise? - Please indicate if there are any preferred practice areas that interest you. - Please detail any extra-curricular activities and leisure interests, including any relevant responsibilities and achievements. - Please tell us about a difficult or demanding achievement that you are particularly proud of, focusing on why it was challenging and the contribution you made towards achieving the end goal. - Please tell us something that not many people know about you. - Please tell us about a recent commercial deal that has captured your interest. If you could represent a side, which would it be and why? - What do you hope to get out of a career at a Firm like ours? **⏱️ Deadline:** 1 January ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Cooley, Dechert lead on VC buyout URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cooley-dechert-lead-on-vc-buyout/ Last updated: 2025-12-09T13:35:03.000Z Weil and Wachtell are also advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Cooley - Application Insider (Summer Programme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cooley-application-insider-summer-programme-2026/ Last updated: 2025-12-09T10:00:43.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Cooley Spring and Summer Programme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Cooley** **Summer Programme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - What is motivating you towards a career at Cooley? - Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role. - We are all work in progress and need to celebrate our strengths but also focus on our areas for growth. Please tell us about you (strengths and areas for growth). - Tell us about a situation where you have demonstrated initiative and the result. **⏱️ Deadline:** 1 January ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Milbank - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/milbank-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2025-12-08T10:00:14.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Milbank Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Milbank** **Vacation Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - What attracts you specifically to Milbank? - What personal qualities do you possess that you think would make you a suitable trainee solicitor? - Please describe a current affairs topic you think would be of relevance to Milbank and/or our clients, and explain why? **⏱️ Deadline:** 31 December ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Covington Burling - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/covington-burling-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T16:28:48.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Covington & Burling Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Covington Burling Vacation Scheme application** answering the question below - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - What aspects of Covington’s work, culture or approach stood out to you in your research, and why do they appeal to you personally? How do you see these aligning with the kind of solicitor you hope to become? Word Count (Max 350 words): - Select a practice group at Covington and discuss a recent commercial trend or development that you believe will impact this group? Word Count (Max 300 words): - Describe an experience, or activity which you have been involved in outside of your academic studies and how this experience allowed you to develop? (You can use examples from any area of your life including extra-curricular activities, paid or voluntary work) Word Count (Max 300 words): - If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mishcon de Reya - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mishcon-de-reya-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T12:00:03.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Mishcon de Reya Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Mishcon de Reya** **Vacation Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **⏱️ Deadline:** 19 December ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Running on Empty URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-running-on-empty/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T10:57:28.000Z Good morning! Here's what we've got for you today: 🪨 Europe scrambles for rare earths 🏛️ Italy eyes its gold reserves 🇫🇷 Macron warns on China dependence 🇨🇳 Starmer takes cautious China stance ### **Running on Empty** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/12/image-1.png) **What’s going on here?** Despite a rare earths “truce” between the US and China, Beijing’s export curbs are leaving Europe’s defence industry dangerously short of critical materials while US firms snap up the remaining global supply. **What does this mean?** Rare earths like terbium and neodymium might not sound glamorous (*and are impossible to pronounce*), but they’re essential for everything from jet engines to missile guidance systems. With China banning exports to companies linked to weapons manufacturing, the world’s supply has tightened, and Europe is being outpaced. **There's a clear split.** US defence giants, armed with cash and coordination, are locking down stock through upstream deals and long-term government backing. The Pentagon even guarantees prices for MP Materials, its domestic producer. Europe, meanwhile, is bogged down by bureaucracy, fragmented procurement, and a lack of strategy. Traders say American buyers move in “days,” while Europeans take “weeks.” The **EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act** and **Germany’s €1bn KfW fund** are designed to cut dependence on China by boosting local mining, refining, and partnerships abroad, but these projects take years to materialise. In the meantime, Europe’s fragmented efforts leave smaller defence firms exposed to shortages, while US companies, backed by government funding and faster deals, consolidate their control over the global rare earth supply chain. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** **1\. International Trade & Regulatory:** China’s tightened export controls and the scramble for non-Chinese supplies will force defence companies and raw materials traders to navigate a thicket of trade, export-control and sanctions rules. Lawyers will be called in to interpret China’s defence-related export bans, advise on EU/UK import licensing, and structure compliant supply chains under the Critical Raw Materials Act and the upcoming RESourceEU framework. A *lawyer advising a German defence contractor* might prepare a **trade compliance audit**, mapping every stage of its rare-earths procurement chain to ensure no post-April-2025 restricted Chinese material is inadvertently entering its products — and drafting internal policies to mitigate enforcement risk. **2\. Corporate, Projects & Investment:** Europe’s urgent push to secure alternative supply, including mining investments in Canada, long-term supply deals, and joint ventures for refining capacity, opens a wave of transactional work. Defence groups and governments will pursue strategic partnerships, equity stakes, and forward-purchase agreements to stabilise access to critical minerals. A lawyer advising on the Germany–Canada submarine-linked minerals partnership might negotiate a **cross-border investment and offtake agreement**, setting out funding terms, guarantees, governance rights, and environmental obligations tied to the development of Canadian rare-earth mines and processing facilities. **3\. Environmental & Planning:** Rebuilding Europe’s refining capacity is a regulatory minefield. Rare-earths processing produces hazardous waste, meaning companies face strict permitting, environmental impact assessments and ongoing compliance. Firms looking to reopen or expand processing sites will need deep environmental support. An environmental lawyer supporting a French rare-earth processor may draft a **comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)** addressing waste management, soil and water contamination risks, and long-term remediation plans required under EU environmental directives — all to secure the permits needed to restart domestic refining. --- **News Roundup** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/12/image-2.png) 🏛️ In **Italy**, lawmakers from Giorgia Meloni’s coalition want to declare the nation’s **gold reserves,** the third-largest in the world — property of “the Italian people.” Critics fear that’s code for a **sell-off**, with Rome eyeing the treasure to plug fiscal gaps. The same week, prosecutors alleged a plot involving **billionaires and a bank boss** to seize control of insurer **Generali**. 🇬🇧 **UK pension funds** are cutting exposure to **US stocks** over fears the market’s become too dependent on a few **AI-driven tech giants**. Schemes managing £200bn+ are shifting money into other regions or hedging against a correction. The **Nasdaq** is up 20% this year, powered by the “**Magnificent Seven**” i.e. Nvidia, Meta, Alphabet and co., but the rally’s looking top-heavy. If the bubble bursts, British retirees could be the ones feeling the pain. 🏦 The **European Central Bank** has refused to backstop the EU’s planned **€140bn Ukraine loan**, saying it would break its **legal mandate**. The decision stalls an EU plan to raise cash using frozen **Russian assets**, a move meant to fund reconstruction. Meanwhile, **Zara-branded goods** are mysteriously reappearing in **Russia**, despite parent firm **Inditex** claiming it exited the market. 🇫🇷 **Emmanuel Macron** heads to **Beijing** this week, warning Europe not to become industrially “dependent on China.” But EU companies keep building **local factories** anyway, arguing it’s the only way to stay competitive with Chinese rivals. The debate over **de-risking vs. decoupling** continues. Europe wants autonomy, but not at the cost of market access. 💶 Swedish private-equity giant **EQT** is weighing **higher fees for big investors** as it courts rich individuals for fresh cash. With money now pouring in from family offices and high-net-worth clients, EQT can afford to charge institutions more. The shift shows how **private markets** are being re-shaped by the new wave of “**retail capital**.” 🛍️ **Shop-price inflation** in the UK slowed to **0.6%** in November, the lowest in five months, as retailers rolled out **early Black Friday discounts**. Cheaper goods may tempt shoppers back, but margins are tightening. Economists say the drop is good news for consumers but a sign that **retailers are feeling the squeeze.** 🇨🇳 **Keir Starmer** says Britain will take a “**pro-business but security-first**” approach to **China**. In his annual foreign-policy speech, he warned that how the UK handles Beijing will shape its future more than any other global shift. Translation: trade’s welcome — but Huawei, no thanks. ### Weekly Memo: Budgets, AI and tech drama URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/weekly-memo-budgets-ai-and-tech-drama/ Last updated: 2025-11-29T09:36:38.000Z Here's all the news you need to know this week! ### **1\. UK Budget: Spending Up, Taxes Later** Rachel Reeves delivered a budget that boosts government spending by £11bn by 2029-30, while raising taxes by £26bn — but only gradually. Because the spending starts immediately and the tax rises don’t, the UK will need to borrow more over the next few years. Reeves avoided cuts to the rising welfare bill, which many expected to be targeted. Surprisingly, markets reacted positively: borrowing costs (yields) on long-dated government debt fell, and the pound strengthened. Investors seem reassured by the clearer fiscal direction, even if the numbers mean higher debt in the short term. --- ### **2\. France Rejects Its Budget (Again)** France is stuck in a political loop: the National Assembly rejected parts of the government’s draft budget — the latest setback for Sébastien Lecornu, France’s third prime minister in 12 months. His two predecessors also failed to pass their budgets, forcing their resignations. The gridlock reflects a fractured parliament where the government lacks a stable majority, making it extremely hard to agree on tax and spending plans. For markets and businesses, this creates uncertainty over France’s economic direction and ability to control public finances. For students, it’s a reminder that political stability has real financial consequences. --- ### **3\. IMF Gives Ukraine $8.2bn Support Package** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Jones Day advises on Airport Investment URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jones-day-advises-on-airport-investment/ Last updated: 2025-11-25T15:44:03.000Z Macquarie has boosted its stake in London City Airport to 75%. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Jones Day leads on oil and gas exit URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jones-day-leads-on-oil-and-gas-exit/ Last updated: 2025-11-25T15:40:48.000Z Syensqo is selling its oil and gas chemicals business to French specialist SNF Group for €135 million. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Withers - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/withers-application-insider-2/ Last updated: 2025-11-25T09:45:07.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Withers Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Withers Vacation Scheme** application with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **⏱️ Deadline:** 9 January **Questions covered** - *Why do you want to be a lawyer?* - Why are you applying to Withers? - What do you think are the three key attributes that make a good trainee solicitor? Please give examples of how you have demonstrated these attributes. - What has been your most significant non-academic achievement to date? - Please give details of your current interests and activities including the nature of your involvement. - If your life had a mascot, what would it look like and what would it cheer for? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bird & Bird, Hogan lead on Amazon Patents claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bird-bird-hogan-lead-on-amazon-patents-claim/ Last updated: 2025-11-24T18:42:39.000Z Goodwin Procter is also advising on this claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Weiss (Summer Vacation Scheme 2026) - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-weiss-summer-vacation-scheme-2026-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-11-23T19:25:27.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Paul Weiss Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Paul Weiss Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Deadline:** 21 December 2025 **Questions covered** - Tell us why you want to join Paul Weiss. - How do your extra-curricular activities align with a career at Paul Weiss? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Kennedys - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/kennedys-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-21T10:00:52.000Z Want to stand out in your **Kennedys Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,822 words) covers: 🧠 What is **Kennedys'** strategy for growth? 👥 What do **Kennedys'** recent hires tell us? 📊 Must-Know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals **Kennedys** led on 🔍 How to turn this insight into an edge **⏱️ Summer Internship:** 21 November --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Willkie - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/willkie-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2026-copy/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T17:26:39.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Willkie Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Willkie Vacation Scheme application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes each answer stand out and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Please explain why you would like a career in commercial law. - Please explain why you are applying to Willkie. - Please tell us about your achievements and positions of responsibility. **⏱️ Deadline:** 10 December ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bird & Bird - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bird-bird-application-insider-vacation-scheme-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-18T09:45:36.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Bird & Bird Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Bird & Bird** **Vacation Scheme applications** answering the question below - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **⏱️ Deadline:** 11 December **Question covered** - Why do you want to be a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird? - Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? - Have you used any AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly) in preparing your application? If so, please explain how. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Weekly Memo: Budget Drama and Tech Jitters URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/weekly-memo-budget-drama-and-tech-jitters/ Last updated: 2025-11-15T09:45:30.000Z It's the weekend and the last thing you wanna do is go back and read up on all the news you need to know to impress law firms. Dw - that's what we're here for thanks to our weekly news memo. Today we're covering budget and stock market drama, the record US shutdown, Paul Hastings' Tax Rebuild and more. Enjoy! --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/11/image-1.png) Temilade Adelaja/PA Wire **What happened?** The UK’s Prime Minister and Chancellor were planning to raise income tax rates, but at the last minute, they decided not to go ahead with it. This major change happened just before an important Budget announcement. **Why did they change?** They reversed their decision because they were worried about upsetting voters and causing more disagreements with their own party members. Raising income tax was seen as risky and unpopular. **How did the market react?** Investors were surprised and unhappy about this sudden change, which led to a sharp fall in the value of UK government bonds (gilts) and a brief drop in the value of the pound. Markets like clear and stable plans, so this “U-turn” made them nervous. **What will they do now?** The government still needs more money, so instead of raising tax rates, they are looking at other ways. This could include lowering the income level where higher tax rates start (so more people pay higher rates), freezing those thresholds for longer, and creating several smaller, specific tax increases, like new gambling taxes and higher property taxes. **Why does this matter?** Lots of smaller tax increases might not be as good for economic growth, and it could make the government look less reliable to investors and experts. Some people think the government is focusing more on staying popular than on making strong financial decisions. All this is happening while there is political drama and uncertainty around the leadership of the Prime Minister. --- 📊 **Capital Markets** ### **Market drops on tech jitters** Another big story this week was the stock market drop. The culprit is a cocktail of rising costs, shaky confidence, and AI anxiety. Big tech firms have been announcing eye-watering jumps in their AI spending — think billions poured into chips, data centres, and infrastructure. Investors love the AI story, but they’re starting to worry about the bill. When companies ramp up spending faster than earnings grow, markets get jittery. At the same time, SoftBank’s surprise sale of its Nvidia stake spooked traders who saw it as a vote of no confidence in the AI boom’s most inflated valuations. That added fuel to a broader sell-off in US tech stocks, dragging indices like the NASDAQ down by around 3% over the week. Add in weak economic signals from the UK and Europe — stagnant growth, rising unemployment, sluggish demand — and you get a market suddenly questioning whether valuations have run too far ahead of reality. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/11/image-3.png) **💡 Did you know?** The "**Magnificent Seven**" refers to a group of seven huge tech companies in the US stock market Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google's parent company), Amazon, Nvidia, Meta Platforms (Facebook's parent company) and Tesla. --- ### Longest-ever US shutdown ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/11/image-4.png) **What happened?** The US government had a shutdown that lasted 43 days—the longest ever. This meant many government services stopped working and hundreds of thousands of federal workers didn't get paid. **Why did it happen?** The shutdown was caused by a disagreement in Congress over what the government should spend money on, especially about healthcare tax credits. Both the Republican and Democratic parties blamed each other for causing the shutdown. **How did it end?** President Trump signed a bill to fund the government and end the shutdown. The bill passed through Congress with a close vote. Most Republicans and just a few Democrats (mainly in districts that support Trump) voted for it. **Now what?** Government offices and services will reopen. Federal workers who didn’t get paid during the shutdown will now receive back pay. Services like welfare payments and air travel (which was heavily disrupted) will start working normally again. --- **🤖 Tech** ### **More AI, less iPhones** Foxconn’s pivot toward the AI gold rush is paying off. For the second consecutive quarter, revenues from AI servers and data-centre equipment surpassed its traditional consumer-electronics segment, including iPhone assembly. The shift underscores how rapidly demand for AI infrastructure is reshaping global supply chains. The company teased an upcoming deal with OpenAI, hinting at deeper integration into the AI hardware ecosystem. The moment marks a strategic transformation for one of the world’s most important manufacturers — less reliant on consumer cycles, more embedded in the backbone of AI computing. --- **🧬 Life Sciences** ### **Pfizer wins $10bn bidding war** The race for dominance in the weight-loss drug market escalated dramatically as Pfizer outbid Novo Nordisk to acquire Metsera for up to $10bn. The process briefly spilled into court when Pfizer attempted to block Novo’s rival offer, though judges refused to intervene. Metsera criticised the litigation as “nonsense” but ultimately sided with Pfizer, citing concerns that Novo’s proposal risked antitrust complications. The deal underscores the incredible value now flowing into obesity treatments, an industry reshaping global pharma pipelines and competition dynamics as demand for GLP-1-style drugs explodes. --- **⚖️ Law** ### BHP liable In £36B Brazil Dam Collapse Case A High Court judge has ruled that **BHP is liable** in the £36 billion group claim over the 2015 Fundão Dam collapse in Brazil, marking a major victory for more than 640,000 claimants. **Pogust Goodhead**, instructing counsel from One Essex Court, Twenty Essex, Temple Garden Chambers, Cornerstone Barristers, Serle Court, Essex Court, and Blackstone Chambers, successfully argued that BHP was strictly liable under Brazilian environmental law and at fault for continuing to raise the dam despite known structural risks. **Slaughter and May**, instructing barristers from **One Essex Court** and **Blackstone Chambers**, defended BHP, which intends to appeal. A compensation trial is set for October 2026. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/11/image-5.png) ### **Paul Hastings' Tax Rebuild** The US firm has hired **Jenny Doak** from **Weil Gotshal** and **Catherine Richardson** from **Cadwalader** to strengthen its London tax team. The hires follow the departure of global tax heads **Arun Birla** and **Jiten Tank** to **White & Case**, signalling an intense lateral battle among US firms in the City. Doak brings heavyweight experience in M&A and capital markets, while Richardson specialises in structured credit and advised **BNP Paribas** on Europe’s first middle-market private credit CLO. Chair **Frank Lopez** said the hires reflect Paul Hastings’ ambition to build a “premier tax practice” — and with London revenue up 70% in two years, they’ve got momentum to match. ### Freshfields, White & Case lead on £2B bookbuild SSE has announced plans to raise up to £2 billion through an accelerated bookbuild, issuing new shares to help fund its £33 billion, decade-long upgrade of the U.K.’s electricity network. The FTSE 100 utilities giant is being advised by **Freshfields**, led by partners Nick Jones and Julian Pritchard. The banks — including Morgan Stanley, UBS, Barclays, BNP Paribas, JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, Santander and RBC — are receiving U.K. and U.S. legal advice from **White & Case**, led by partners Inigo Esteve and Laura Sizemore. SSE’s shares jumped 12% on the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in its large-scale infrastructure strategy. - **💡 Did you know?** A **bookbuild** (or **bookbuilding**) is a process used in capital markets when a company wants to raise money by issuing new shares. In a bookbuild, the company (with the help of banks, called underwriters) invites potential investors to submit offers indicating how many shares they want to buy and at what price. Based on this demand, the final price at which the shares will be sold is determined. The process usually happens quickly and is often called an **accelerated bookbuild** if it takes place in just a few hours or overnight. --- ### Term of the Day: Structured Credit Structured credit refers to complex financial instruments — like **collateralised loan obligations (CLOs)** — that repackage loans or debt into tradable securities. Investors receive slices (or “tranches”) of these products, each with different risk and return levels. --- ### Dentons - Playbook 2025 (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dentons-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-17T15:43:38.000Z Want to stand out in your **Dentons Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,450 words) covers: 🧠 What is **Dentons'** strategy for growth? 👥 What do **Dentons'** recent hires tell us? 📊 Must-Know data from its financial results 💼 Key clients and deals **Dentons** led on 🔍 How to turn this insight into an edge **⏱️Spring VS:** 23 November --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Goodwin - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/goodwin-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2025-11-13T10:00:54.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Goodwin Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Goodwin application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes this cover letter stand out and how to improve it **Deadline:** 12 December **Questions covered** - Why are you applying to Goodwin? - What is your personal motivation for seeking a career in corporate/commercial law? - Discuss a commercial issue that has particularly interested you. Why did it capture your attention, and what impact could it have on the legal sector? - Which other firms are you applying to and why? - What do you believe are two key qualities of a successful solicitor? How have you demonstrated these qualities in your education and/or experience to date? - Please briefly summarise anything else that you would like to add which you think is relevant to your application. - Describe a recent situation where you faced a challenge or problem. How did you overcome the challenge, and how did you display your resilience? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith leads on Shipping Deposit claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-leads-on-shipping-deposit-claim/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T13:40:11.000Z Reed Smith is advising on this claim involving a failed tanker sale. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May - Application Insider (Training Contract 2028) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-application-insider-training-contract-2028/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T12:00:28.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Slaughter and May Training Contract**. application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Slaughter and May application** - **Expert feedback** on what made this cover letter stand out **TC Deadline:** 28 November ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 6 Key Trends in M&A Law (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/6-key-trends-in-m-a-law-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T10:00:57.000Z Welcome to our new series: **Interview Gems** 💎 designed to make you impress in applications, interviews and ACs. We will cover hidden trends in key areas of law and show you how to use these in your applications so you can stand out with 0 stress. Sounds good? Let's dive in. To kick things off, we've got six trends transforming how M&A lawyers work in 2025, focused on the UK but with an eye on what's happening globally. --- ### 1️⃣ M&A Defies Headwinds **What’s the trend:** Despite inflation, geopolitical tension, and tariff turbulence, M&A is not in retreat — it’s morphing. The global market grew **10% year-on-year** in deal value during the first nine months of 2025, even as deal *volume* dipped 4%. This rebound reflects selective boldness rather than exuberance. **Key details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Taylor Wessing - Application Insider (Spring Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/taylor-wessing-application-insider-spring-vacation-scheme-2026/ Last updated: 2025-11-11T10:00:39.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Taylor Wessing Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Taylor Wessing Vacation Scheme applications** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Deadline:** 28 November **Questions covered** - Please tell us the achievement you are most proud of and why. - Taylor Wessing has its core values (Excellence, Creativity, Responsibility, Teamwork, Integrity and Respect). Tell us, through an example, how you have displayed one of these. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/herbert-smith-freehills-kramer-spring-and-summer-vacation-scheme-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-10T10:00:12.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **VS Deadline:** 1 December **Questions covered** - Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you. - Why are you interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer? - What skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Davis Polk - (Spring Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/davis-polk-spring-vacation-scheme-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-09T14:00:48.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Davis Polk Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Davis Polk application** - **Expert feedback** on what makes this cover letter stand out and how to improve it **Deadline:** 30 November **Questions covered** A Cover Letter answering the below: - Within your cover letter please include why you are specifically interested in Davis Polk, why you are attracted to the work that we carry out, and the skills that you have developed that would contribute towards your success in the role. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### DLA Piper - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dla-piper-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-08T09:45:40.000Z Want to stand out in your **DLA Piper Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,822 words) covers: 🧠 What is **DLA Piper's** strategy for growth? 👥 What do **DLA Piper's** recent hires tell us? 📊 Must-Know financial data 💼 Key clients and deals **DLA Piper** led on 🔍 How to turn this insight into an edge **⏱️ Summer Internship:** 21 November --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gowling - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gowling-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-11-06T10:00:45.000Z Want to stand out in your **Gowling Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,822 words) covers: 🧠 What is **Gowling 's** strategy for growth? 👥 What do **Gowling 's** recent hires tell us? 📊 Must-Know data from its financial results 💼 Key clients and deals **Gowling** led on 🔍 How to turn this insight into an edge **⏱️ TC and VS:** 19 November --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Weiss, Linklaters lead on offshore wind project deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-weiss-linklaters-lead-on-offshore-wind-project-deal/ Last updated: 2025-12-14T17:22:59.000Z Apollo is investing $6.5 billion to buy a 50% stake in Hornsea 3. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Covington, Kirkland lead on $12 billion Pharma Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/covington-kirkland-lead-on-12-billion-pharma-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T16:33:39.000Z Novartis is buying U.S. biotech Avidity Biosciences in this mega-deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Squire Patton Boggs, Macfarlanes lead on trust deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/squire-patton-boggs-macfarlanes-lead-on-trust-deal/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T10:06:59.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Osborne Clarke, Burges Salmon face off in FCA procurement dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/osborne-clarke-burges-salmon-face-off-in-fca-procurement-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T16:04:07.000Z The case alleges that a £29.5 million procurement was run in a flawed and unfair way. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Jones Day, White & Case lead on tech spin-off URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jones-day-white-case-lead-on-tech-spin-off/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T11:59:10.000Z Gibson Dunn is also advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Squire Patton Boggs sued in software negligence claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/squire-patton-boggs-sued-in-software-negligence-claim/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T10:03:00.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case - Application Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025-2/ Last updated: 2026-01-03T12:03:44.000Z Here's how you can ace your **White & Case Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **White & Case Vacation Scheme application** answering the question below - **Expert feedback** on what makes the answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Discuss a deal that White & Case has advised on in the last two years. What do you think were the strategic considerations and complexities involved, and how did the firm navigate them? ### Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Stephenson Harwood Vacation Scheme - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/stephenson-harwood-tc-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T12:35:10.000Z Want to ace your **Stephenson Harwood Vacation Scheme Application**? Here's all the research you need to impress the firm. **This Playbook (3,967 words) covers:** - What is Stephenson Harwood’s strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Stephenson Harwood boosting and why? - What do Stephenson Harwood’s recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from Stephenson Harwood’s financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Stephenson Harwood TC Deadline:** 31 July --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Stephenson Harwood has zeroed in on **five strategic sectors** – decarbonisation, life sciences, private capital & funds, technology, and transportation & trade. The firm’s recent deals and hires all point to these focus areas, showing it is aligning its practice with booming client demand in these fields. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/07/pexels-mahima-518693-1250260-1.jpg) **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley - Application Insider (Summer Vacation Scheme 2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-summer-vacation-scheme-2025-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-10-22T16:14:01.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Sidley Austin Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Sidley Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Deadline:** 9 January (rolling) **Questions covered** - **Why does a career in commercial law and specifically Sidley Austin interest you?** - **Discuss a current commercial issue and why it interests you.** - **In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?** ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mayer Brown - Application Insider (Summer Vacation Scheme 2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mayer-brown-application-insider-2/ Last updated: 2025-10-21T08:59:59.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Mayer Brown Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Mayer Brown Vacation Scheme applications** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **⏱️ Deadline:** 16 December (Rolling) **Questions covered** - Please use this section to tell us about any academic or non academic achievements and interests not covered elsewhere in this application. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gibson Dunn - Application Insider (Summer Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gibson-dunn-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-12-22T11:14:51.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme applications** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Why Law? - Why Gibson Dunn? - Extra-Curricular Activities - Academic Achievements _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/re-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T08:45:33.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Reed Smith Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **successful** **Reed Smith** application with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Why have you decided to pursue a career in Commercial Law? - Why have you applied to Reed Smith in particular? - Focusing on one of Reed Smith\`s five Industry Groups, what current issues, aside from the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), do you think will impact this sector? What opportunities or challenges could this present Reed Smith or our clients? **Deadline:** 19 December (rolling) ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Taylor Wessing - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/taylor-wessing-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-10-15T09:28:39.000Z Want to stand out in your **Taylor Wessing Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,435 words) covers: 🧠 What is **TW's** strategy for growth? 👥 What do **TW's** recent hires tell us? 📊 Must-Know data from its financial results 💼 Key clients and deals **TW** led on 🔍 How to turn this insight into an edge **⏱️ Deadlines** (Rolling) **Spring VS:** 31 October **Summer VS:** 28 November --- ### 🧠 **Practice Area Strategy** **In short:** Taylor Wessing is doubling down on the work that really moves markets — high-value deals, headline disputes, and complex regulatory matters. Its strategy revolves around the industries shaping the future: technology, life sciences, real estate, and private wealth. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case leads on Oz Energy Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-leads-on-oz-energy-deal/ Last updated: 2025-10-11T14:09:07.000Z Use this to impress in your White & Case application. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Jones Day - Assessment Centre Insider (Vacation Scheme 2026) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jones-day-ac-insider/ Last updated: 2026-01-02T16:56:55.000Z Here is a summary of what to expect from the **Jones Day** Assessment Centre taken directly from a candidate experience! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-10-09T09:00:19.000Z Want to stand out in your **White & Case Winter Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,051 words) covers: 🧠 What is **W&C's** strategy for growth? 👥 What do **W&C's** recent hires tell us? 📊 Must-Know data from its financial results 💼 Key clients and deals **W&C** led on 🔍 How to turn this insight into an edge ⏱️ Deadline: **26 October** --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Chip Wars URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-chip-wars/ Last updated: 2025-10-07T09:37:28.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here’sthe news you need to know today. 💸 OpenAI’s big chip deal ⚽️ FIFA ticket gambles ⚖️ £5B Bitcoin case 🙋 What is a Bubble? --- ### **Chip Wars 2.0** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/10/image-1.png) OpenAI just struck a *tens-of-billions-dollar* deal with AMD to build its next wave of AI infrastructure — a move that sent AMD’s shares soaring nearly 40% and signalled its boldest challenge yet to Nvidia’s chip dominance. **What does this mean?** This is AMD’s moonshot moment. The deal will see OpenAI deploy 6 gigawatts’ worth of AMD GPUs over several years — roughly half the size of its recent pact with Nvidia — and could generate tens of billions in revenue for AMD. In return, OpenAI can buy up to 160 million AMD shares at a penny each if the project hits milestones, effectively giving it up to a 10% stake. This partnership is about *reducing dependence on Nvidia*, whose hardware powers almost every major AI model today. But it’s also a huge bet: AMD is tying its future to an AI market some believe is heading for a bubble. If the boom holds, AMD could transform from Nvidia’s scrappy rival into a central player in the global AI arms race — but if it bursts, this deal could look like a trillion-dollar overreach. **How does this impact Law Firms?** **🤖 Technology and Commercial Law:** This blockbuster partnership between AMD and OpenAI will trigger a wave of complex technology and commercial contracts. Lawyers will need to draft and negotiate long-term supply, licensing, and infrastructure agreements governing the production, delivery, and maintenance of GPUs. These contracts will cover everything from intellectual property rights and exclusivity terms to service-level agreements for data centre uptime. For example, **lawyers advising AMD** may draft detailed *AI infrastructure supply agreements* that set out performance obligations, delivery schedules, and liability caps tied to production delays or chip performance failures. **📈 Corporate and Securities Law:** With OpenAI gaining the right to acquire up to 160 million AMD shares, this deal brings major corporate and regulatory implications. Lawyers will advise on share option structures, disclosure obligations, and potential insider trading risks arising from milestone-based equity awards. They will also assist with filings under securities regulations in both the US and Europe. For instance, **corporate lawyers** may help **AMD** prepare disclosures to satisfy market transparency rules, ensuring that investor communications about OpenAI’s potential 10% stake meet regulatory requirements and avoid allegations of misleading the market. --- ### News Roundup 🏦 The **European Central Bank** looks set to **pause rate cuts** for the rest of 2025, defying the Fed’s easing trend. Officials say inflation is close to the 2% target and see no rush to move. Meanwhile, the EU is quietly lending surplus cash into repo markets to ease debt pressures. 🎟️ **Switzerland’s gambling regulator** is probing **FIFA’s World Cup tokens**, which let fans trade for match tickets. The question: are these digital rewards or gambling products? If ruled gambling, FIFA could face restrictions ahead of 2026. ⛽ **Denmark** will tighten checks on **oil tankers** in its waters to curb Russia’s shadow fleet, which moves sanctioned crude on aging ships. With global oil in transit at a record 1.2bn barrels, regulators worry about both sanctions evasion and environmental risks. --- ### **Crypto Clash** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/10/Graphics--73-.png) British police have seized £5.5 billion worth of bitcoin from a convicted Chinese fraudster — and now the U.K. and defrauded investors are locked in a legal battle over who gets the money. **What does this mean?** It’s one of the biggest hauls of dirty money in British history, but deciding what happens next is far from straightforward. The government wants to seize and cash out the bitcoin — reportedly eyeing it to plug gaps in public finances — while victims in China argue the assets belong to them. Under the **Proceeds of Crime Act 2002**, foreign victims can claim property traced to their losses, but proving ownership across borders, crypto wallets, and years of laundering will be complex. Even if victims win, they’ll likely be paid in sterling, not bitcoin — letting the Treasury pocket the crypto’s massive appreciation. **How does this impact Law Firms?** **💸 Financial Crime and Asset Recovery:** This case is a goldmine (or more aptly, a *Bitcoin mine*) for financial crime lawyers. The government’s attempt to seize and cash out £5.5 billion in crypto under the *Proceeds of Crime Act 2002* will trigger extensive asset recovery work. Lawyers will need to trace the source of funds through complex blockchain transactions, prepare evidence for forfeiture proceedings, and coordinate with international enforcement agencies. With victims in China asserting ownership, lawyers must also navigate cross-border cooperation treaties and mutual legal assistance frameworks. **⚖️ Dispute Resolution:** The High Court proceedings between the U.K. government and Chinese victims will create extensive work for disputes lawyers specialising in cross-border fraud and enforcement. They’ll need to coordinate expert evidence on Chinese law, manage jurisdictional arguments, and liaise with PRC counsel on recognition of judgments. Enforcement strategy will also be crucial — even if victims win, enforcing a U.K. judgment in China may prove difficult. Lawyers might act for the victims’ consortium to obtain a *Worldwide Freezing Order (WFO)* against the crypto assets, ensuring they aren’t dissipated during proceedings, and coordinate with Chinese authorities to seek recognition and enforcement of that order abroad. --- ### Term of the Day**: AI Bubble 🫧** An *AI bubble* is when excitement (and money) around artificial intelligence outpaces reality — investors, companies, and even governments pile in, convinced it’s the next gold rush. Think of it like blowing up a balloon with hype: it looks impressive, but one wrong move and *pop* — valuations crash back to earth. 👀 **Real-world example:** AI-bubble fears are back. The boom has drawn comparisons to the dot-com crash of the 1990s, as tech firms spend trillions shifting work from humans to machines. Venture capital and debt financing are pouring in, and now Wall Street is experimenting with creative funding deals that look riskier by the week. The worry: too much hype, too little profit. If history repeats, the AI dream could spark the next spectacular financial hangover. --- 🙋 **Did you find this helpful?** If so, please let us know by voting below! ### Freshfields leads on F1 Grand Prix dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/freshfields-leads-on-f1-grand-prix-dispute/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T16:18:11.000Z The claim is seeking a multi-million dollar refund. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dechert - Application Insider (Winter Vacation Scheme 2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dechert-application-insider-winter-vacation-scheme-2025/ Last updated: 2025-10-03T14:22:56.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Dechert Winter Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Dechert Vacation Scheme applications** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Please outline the skills you possess that make you well suited to a career as a commercial solicitor and explain why you believe this makes Dechert the right Firm for you to develop your career. - Please describe a challenging situation you have faced and explain how you approached it. What do you believe was critical to you being able to overcome the challenge? - Please tell us about your non-academic activities and interests, highlighting any positions of responsibility held and achievements you are especially proud of. ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dechert (Winter Vacation Scheme) - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dechert-winter-vacation-scheme-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-10-02T08:30:16.000Z Want to stand out in your **Dechert Winter Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (2,181 words) covers: 🧠 What is **Dechert’s** strategy for growth? 👥 What do **Dechert’s** recent hires tell us? 📊 Must-Know data from its financial results 💼 Key clients and deals **Dechert** led on 🔍 How to turn this insight into an edge ⏱️ Deadline: **17 October** --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Dechert is putting its chips on asset management and finance-heavy practices – think private equity, private credit, and structured finance – while keeping a strong hand in disputes and regulatory work. The firm is doubling down on alternative asset managers, cross-border deals, and complex financial products across sectors like financial services, real estate, life sciences, and tech. **Details:** - **Private Equity & Private Capital:** Dechert has made no secret of its plan: private equity is the growth engine. The firm has advised hundreds of PE sponsors and portfolio companies and is actively scaling its global practice. Big lateral hires in London back this up – the firm wants to be the go-to shop for sponsors, sovereign wealth funds and asset managers. Why? Because private equity and private credit markets roared back in late 2024, and Dechert wants more of the pie. - **Asset Manager Clients & Funds:** Dechert’s sweet spot is being “asset manager-facing.” It has stitched together expertise in funds, fund finance, and structured finance so clients can get everything under one roof. The London office in particular has boosted its fund finance capability to help PE and credit funds with capital call facilities, NAV financings and other creative lending solutions. With sponsors moving into private credit, Dechert has positioned itself to advise on both sides of the balance sheet. - **Structured Finance & CLO Dominance:** This is where Dechert quietly runs the market. In 2024, it worked on nearly 100 CLO transactions worth close to $40bn – more than any other firm. It also advised on the first-ever European mid-market private credit CLO and the largest CLO issuance ever, a $2.5bn behemoth. By being the lawyer of choice for these innovative financings, Dechert locks in repeat work from banks, funds and alternative lenders. - **Core Sectors – Restructuring, Finance, Real Estate, Life Sciences:** Beyond PE and finance, Dechert is thriving in restructuring and insolvency (a natural hotspot during economic turbulence), real estate finance, and life sciences transactions and litigation. While its disputes bench (white collar, arbitration) remains respected, the firm is clearly steering growth towards transactional, finance-driven practices. Even after trimming its office network, Dechert underlined its commitment to high-stakes litigation and regulatory work – so expect contentious exposure, but with deal work leading the charge. 💡 **Interview Tip:** Don’t just list the areas – explain *why*. For example: *“I noticed Dechert is investing heavily in private equity and structured finance – such as building out its CLO practice and hiring senior PE partners. To me, that reflects the rebound in private capital activity and growing client demand for creative financing structures. It shows Dechert aligning its strategy to market realities, which I’d be keen to contribute to as a trainee.”* --- ### 🚨 Key Hires and Team Moves _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Withers, Cripps lead on tech directors dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/withers-cripps-lead-on-tech-directors-dispute/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T19:19:15.000Z Shoosmiths is also advising on this case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Are Law Firms missing out on Asia? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/are-law-firms-missing-out-on-asia/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T15:54:34.000Z Recent law firm rankings tell a familiar story: Kirkland still sitting on the world’s fattest profits, Magic Circle clinging to relevance, U.S. firms crowding the top. But look from another angle and the picture changes: **11 of the world’s top 15 firms by lawyer headcount are Chinese.** Yingke alone has nearly 18,000 lawyers — more than the entire Magic Circle combined. The message is clear: in Asia, “*success*” isn’t defined by profitability but by scale and deal volume. **Why does this matter?** Because law firms *can’t stop talking about “global strategy.”* Understanding the tension between Western firms chasing profit and Asian firms chasing scale gives you a ready-made way to stand out in interviews. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/10/image.png) ### Two Different Games This profit vs scale split explains why so many international firms have **retreated from mainland China**. Western firms can’t compete on fees, and U.S.-China tensions have chilled once-lucrative cross-border mandates. Yet the idea of closing shop across Asia altogether looks increasingly short-sighted. Asia is home to **60% of the world’s population**. China may be slowing but still grows at double the pace of the West, while **India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines** are powering ahead with growth rates above 5–6%. For investors — private equity houses, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds — this is fertile ground. And when clients deploy capital, they expect their lawyers to be there too. **The strategy?** Not price wars with locals. Instead: **connectivity.** Be the firm that existing clients call when they want to deploy capital in Jakarta, raise funds in Hong Kong, or tap renewables opportunities in Singapore. ### Where's the Work? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells leads on $26M North Sea Asset Sale URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-leads-on-26m-north-sea-asset-sale/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T13:17:17.000Z The deal adds new oil and gas reserves and diversifies the buyer's production base. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Record LBO URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/record-lbo/ Last updated: 2025-09-29T17:14:01.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here's all the news you need to know today. 💸 EA's record LBO 🍿 Trump (new) tariffs 💊 AstraZeneca's US listing 🧓 Linlaters lead on pension deal 📺 HSFK, BCLP lead on TV deal --- ### EA's record LBO Biggest LBO ever just dropped today. But wait… what even is a *LBO*? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one scratching your head. Let’s break it down. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-13-1.png) **What is a Leveraged Buyout (LBO)?** Say you want to buy a farm. However, you don’t have the cash to buy the whole thing, so you put down a little deposit (*your equity*) and borrow the rest (*the debt*). **But here’s the trick:** you use the farm’s own crops, milk, and eggs (the company’s cash flow) to repay the loan over time. If the farm is fertile and keeps producing, you’ll eventually own it outright, having only invested a small amount yourself. But it is risky! If there’s a drought (a downturn in business), suddenly you’re staring at a mountain of debt with no harvest to pay it off. **So why are we talking LBOs?** **Electronic Arts (EA)** agreed to sell itself in a $55bn leveraged buyout, the largest in history. The deal — at $210 per share — brings in Silver Lake Management, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. EA, maker of The Sims and EA Sports FC, is selling amid sluggish growth in the $178bn gaming industry. For the buyers, it’s a massive bet that gaming IP will stay valuable even as the industry’s growth slows. **⚖️Wachtell Lipton** is advising EA, **Kirkland & Ellis** is advising the consortium of firms buying EA. --- ### News Roundup ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-15.png) 🇺🇸 Donald **Trump** said he’ll introduce new **tariffs** to boost the domestic film and furniture industries. On social media, he threatened “substantial tariffs” on countries that don’t make their furniture in the US and repeated his plan for a 100% tariff on foreign films. The details remain fuzzy, but the message is clear: Trump is doubling down on protectionism, using tariffs not just for trade but to reshape cultural and consumer industries at home. 💶 The **European Central Bank’s chief economist**, Philip Lane, said he doesn’t see big risks of inflation spiking or collapsing. Speaking in Frankfurt, he suggested interest rates may stay put for now. “*It doesn’t look like we’re going back to the pre-pandemic equilibrium of very low inflation,*” he said. Translation: the ECB feels comfortable holding steady, even as markets debate whether Europe needs rate cuts to support sluggish growth. 💊 **AstraZeneca** will directly list **shares in New York**, though its main listing stays in London. Reports suggested it considered moving fully to America due to frustrations with the UK’s regulatory regime. Meanwhile, GSK boss Emma Walmsley said she’ll step down at the end of the year after struggles at the British drugmaker. Together, the announcements highlight how global pharma giants are rethinking where they’re anchored — and how London risks losing clout as a financial hub. --- ### Law Firm News ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-14.png) **Links, Macs, DLA head pension deal** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Linklaters leads as BP shifts £1.6bn pension risk URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/linklaters-leads-as-bp-shifts-1-6bn-pension-risk/ Last updated: 2025-09-29T16:58:46.000Z Linklaters, Macfarlanes and DLA Piper are advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### EA’s $55B Buyout: The Biggest LBO in History URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/eas-55b-buyout-the-biggest-lbo-in-history/ Last updated: 2025-09-29T16:29:18.000Z Kirkland and Wachtell are leading on this mega deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Penningtons Manches (Winter Vacation Scheme) - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-winter-vacation-scheme-playbook-2025-2/ Last updated: 2025-09-28T08:45:38.000Z Want to stand out in your **Penningtons Manches Cooper Winter Vacation Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,224 words) covers: - What is **Penningtons Manches Cooper’s** strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is **Penningtons** boosting and why? - What do **Penningtons’** recent hires and moves tell us? - Must-Know data from **Penningtons’** financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️ Deadline: 10 October --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** PMC is leveraging its full-service model across four divisions – Business Services, Dispute Resolution, Private Individuals, and Real Estate – while prioritising high-growth sectors. **Litigation & Shipping:** Disputes are a core strength – last year, commercial litigation, marine, trade & energy disputes, and real estate litigation all outperformed. Notably, PMC’s specialist aviation team is defending Swiss Re in the colossal AerCap insurance litigation (a $10 billion case over aircraft losses in Russia). Shipping and insurance are growth sectors for the firm, boosted by its 2019 merger with Thomas Cooper (a maritime boutique). With offices in Piraeus and Singapore, PMC is deeply embedded in global trade and marine work – now even extending to superyachts (more on that later). This disputes prowess matters as clients seek firms that can handle complex, cross-border problems. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Hogan Lovells (Winter Vacation Scheme) - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hogan-lovells-winter-vacation-scheme-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-09-19T09:00:08.000Z Want to **stand out** in your **Hogan Lovells** Winter Vacation Scheme application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (4,181 words) covers: - What is Hogan Lovells’ strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Hogan Lovells boosting and why? - What do Hogan Lovells’ recent hires and moves tell us? - Must-Know data from Hogan Lovells’ financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Deadline:** 10 October --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Hogan Lovells is focusing on fast-growing, high-value practice areas. Over the last year the firm has emphasized **private capital** (especially private equity and real estate transactions), **disputes and competition litigation**, and **energy transition projects**, while also gaining recognition in **fintech and digital assets**. **Details:** **💸 Private Equity & Real Estate:** HL is investing heavily in its private capital platform. In London, the firm hired two prominent partners from Paul Hastings – Michael James and Edward Meadowcroft – to bolster private equity real estate deals, “reinforcing the firm’s strategic focus on building out its private equity and real estate offering.” This move is part of a deliberate global push: leadership noted that adding top talent across Europe and Asia demonstrates HL’s ambition to be “the firm of choice for private equity investors.” Recent team hires in Greater China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, and Italy further underscore a worldwide expansion of HL’s private equity and funds practice. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HSF Kramer (Winter Vacation Scheme) - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hsf-kramer-winter-vacation-scheme-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T15:17:25.000Z Want to stand out in your **Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer’s Winter Vac Scheme** application? Here’s a new Playbook to help you impress them. This Playbook (3,031 words) covers: - What is HSF Kramer’s strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is HSF Kramer boosting and why? - What do HSF Kramer’s recent hires and moves tell us? - Must-Know data from HSF Kramer’s financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! ⏱️ **Deadline: 1 October** --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** HSF Kramer is balancing its heavyweight disputes legacy with a major push into transactional work – especially private capital, energy and tech. In practice, this means HSF Kramer is beefing up deal capabilities to complement its top-tier litigation reputation, aligning its services with client demand in fast-growth sectors. **Details:** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-8.png) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gibson Dunn leads AO Buyback URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/gibson-dunn-leads-ao-buyback/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T17:07:10.000Z AO World PLC is launching its first-ever share buyback. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### HSF Kramer (Winter Vacation Scheme 2025) - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/hsf-kramer-winter-vacation-scheme-2025-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-09-14T09:00:28.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **HSF Kramer Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you. We are looking for structure and succinctness in your answer. Your answer does not need to be related to law or Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and it is a chance for us to find out more about you and your interests. - Why are you interested in pursuing a career at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer? - What skills, qualities and attributes would you bring to the role? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Norton Rose (Winter Vacation Scheme) - Playbook 2025 URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/norton-rose-winter-vacation-scheme-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-09-13T09:00:16.000Z **Norton Rose Fulbright's** Winter Vac Scheme deadline is coming up on **28 September!** Here's a newPlaybook to make you stand out and impress them. **This Playbook (2,493 words) covers:** - What is NRF's strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is NRF boosting and why? - What do NRF's recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from NRF's financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ NRF VS Deadline:** 28 September --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** NRF is leaning on its core strengths in energy and finance while ramping up disputes and regulatory work, with recent hires and deals highlighting demand in renewables, financial services, and complex litigation. **Key points for your application:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why Is BCLP Boosting Its Antitrust Practice? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-is-bclp-boosting-its-antitrust-practice/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T12:52:29.000Z The firm made two strategic partner hires in DC and London to boost its international Antitrust, Competition & Trade practice. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Eversheds Sutherland brings Irish Offices In-House URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/eversheds-sutherland-brings-irish-offices-in-house/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T10:11:09.000Z **In Short:** Eversheds Sutherland will integrate its Irish offices into its international LLP from 15 September, bringing 170 lawyers and staff across Dublin and Belfast into the core business. The move follows the breakdown of merger talks with William Fry and is part of a wider strategy to expand in high-growth, international markets. **Key Legal Points to Discuss in Applications & Interviews:** 1. **Full Integration Signals Strategic Pivot Post-William Fry Talks** The failed merger with William Fry might have seemed like a setback, but Eversheds is now doubling down on its **own-brand expansion in Ireland**. By pulling its Irish team fully into Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, the firm is creating a more **streamlined international structure** — and sending a message that it's serious about growing independently in key markets. 2. **Ireland’s Importance in the EU Legal Market** Ireland holds a **unique position as the EU’s only English-speaking, common law jurisdiction**, which is hugely attractive to U.S. and international clients — especially in **financial services and tech**. The fact that Eversheds already advises 8 of the top 15 listed Irish companies shows just how embedded the firm is. For candidates, it’s an opportunity to get involved in **cross-border work that spans data, banking, IP, and regulatory advice.** 3. **Consolidation Across Europe Continues** This move follows earlier integrations in **Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands**. The trend: Eversheds is **consolidating its European presence under one LLP**, likely to boost efficiency, offer unified services to multinational clients, and compete more aggressively with firms like DLA Piper or Norton Rose Fulbright. The Dublin and Belfast teams will now operate alongside the wider Eversheds International platform — a strong sign of investment in the **pan-European legal market**. --- **Why This Matters:** Ireland is becoming **even more pivotal post-Brexit**, especially for financial services, tech and life sciences firms needing EU access. For law students and grads, Eversheds’ investment in Ireland means **greater opportunities for international secondments, exposure to top-tier cross-border deals**, and a firm culture that values strategic growth — especially if you’re eyeing roles in TMT, life sciences or FS regulation. ### A&O Shearman leads on ASML's big AI bet URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-o-shearman-leads-on-asmls-big-ai-bet/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T10:02:26.000Z ASML is investing €1.3 billion in French startup Mistral AI, leading its €1.7 billion funding round. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Million Benefits deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/million-benefits-deal/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T09:58:55.000Z Pinsent Masons and Eversheds Sutherland leading on this multi-million pound insurance deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Weiss (Winter Vacation Scheme 2025) - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-weiss-winter-vacation-scheme-2025-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-09-10T10:12:23.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Paul Weiss Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A **Paul Weiss Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - Tell us why you want to join Paul Weiss. - How do your extra-curricular activities align with a career at Paul Weiss? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: 100% Tariffs URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-100-tariffs/ Last updated: 2025-09-10T08:57:24.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here's what you need to know today: 💥 NATO shoots down Russian drones 💰 Trump pushes EU on tariffs 🇫🇷 Macron names new PM 🛢️ Kirkland, Sidley on $550m energy deal 🌿 Norton Rose advises on food merger 🙋 Term: Fed Independence --- ### Must-Know Today ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-7-1.png) 💰 **Trump asked the EU** to impose tariffs of up to **100%** on **India and China**, two of the biggest importers of Russian oil. He made the request during meetings with senior EU and US officials in Washington, arguing this would squeeze the Kremlin’s war chest. Trump said America would then raise its own tariffs on the two countries. If true, it’s a bold gamble: using trade wars to force political change in Moscow. 🇵🇱 **Polish forces shot down Russian drones** that strayed into Poland’s airspace during an attack on western Ukraine. It’s the first time a NATO member has directly engaged with Russia since the war began. Poland’s army said Dutch and NATO aircraft also took part in the operation. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called an emergency meeting after the incident. 📱 **The new iPhone has landed.** Apple unveiled its thinnest-ever handset, the iPhone 17 Air, just 5.6mm thick — nearly a third slimmer than today’s models. The new Pro versions pack upgraded cameras and longer battery life, with Apple banking on the redesign to nudge hesitant users into upgrading. 🇺🇸 **Trump** said he was “very unhappy” about an **Israeli air strike** in **Qatar** targeting Hamas leaders. The White House distanced itself too, saying the attack “does not advance Israel or America’s goals.” Hamas claimed its top officials survived, but six people, including a Qatari security officer, were killed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-6.png) 🇫🇷 French president **Emmanuel Macron** appointed **Sébastien Lecornu** as the new **prime minister**, the country’s fifth in just two years. His predecessor, **François Bayrou**, resigned after losing a **confidence vote** in parliament. Lecornu, who has been defence minister since 2022, now faces an unfriendly National Assembly where many lawmakers want new elections. For Macron, it’s another reminder of his weak grip on domestic politics, with constant reshuffles making it harder to push through tough economic reforms. --- ### Law Firm News _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Norton Rose leads on flavour deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/norton-rose-leads-on-flavour-deal/ Last updated: 2025-09-09T18:00:41.000Z The deal is part of a broader consolidation in the flavour and fragrance industry. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley, Kirkland lead on oil and gas deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-kirkland-lead-on-oil-and-gas-deal/ Last updated: 2025-09-09T17:25:21.000Z The purchase of this rival operator is a boost for the buyer's oil and gas production. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A&O Shearman Winter Vacation Scheme - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-winter-vacation-scheme-playbook-2025-2/ Last updated: 2025-09-09T09:14:55.000Z **A&O Shearman**'sWinter Vac Scheme deadline is fast approaching on **15 September** andwe’ve got a fresh Playbook to make sure you stand out and impress them. **This Playbook (3,618 words) covers:** - What is A&O Shearman's strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is A&O Shearman boosting and why? - What do A&O Shearman's recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from A&O Shearman's financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Vac Scheme Deadline:** 15 September --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 💡 ****In short:** A&O Shearman is focusing on its core strengths – high-end ****M&A, finance, and disputes** – while targeting six key industry sectors for growth. The merged firm’s strategy is to leverage its broader platform to dominate areas like ****energy & infrastructure, private capital (including PE), technology,** and ****life sciences**. **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Japan PM quits URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-japan-pm-quits/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T08:48:50.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here's all you need to know for today: 🇯🇵 Japan PM quits 🇬🇧 Starmer under pressure 🛢️ OPEC+ ups oil output 🇳🇴 Norway votes in tight race 🏠 Ashurst leads on housing claim 💊 A&O Shearman heads pharma case 🙋 Term: Coalition Majority --- ### Must-Know Today ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-5.png) Credit: Reuters 🇯🇵 **Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru** has resigned after just a year in the job. His party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), lost its majority in both houses of parliament in recent elections, piling pressure on him to step down. Ishiba will stay on until a new leader is chosen. The sudden exit highlights how quickly political careers in Japan can collapse after poor election results. 🇨🇳 **China** confirmed that President Xi Jinping will join a virtual **BRICS** summit on Monday, alongside Vladimir Putin, to discuss U.S. trade policies under Donald Trump. At the same time, reports say China may reopen its financial markets to Russian energy companies — a sign of closer ties between the two nations. Still, the relationship is uneven: China has the far stronger economy, leaving Russia increasingly dependent on Beijing as Western sanctions cut it off from other markets. **💡Did you know?** BRICS is a group of five major emerging economies: **Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa**. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-3.png) Sources: We Think (Omnisis), Bloomberg 🇬🇧 UK Prime Minister **Keir Starmer** urged his new cabinet to “**step up a gear**” and deliver for the British people as he scrambles to fend off Nigel Farage’s **Reform UK**. The warning comes at a shaky moment: one of Starmer’s top strategists has just quit, leaving a hole at the heart of **Downing Street**. With Reform’s populist surge threatening Labour’s dominance, the departure has sparked talk of a government in **crisis** right as Starmer needs to project control. 🇦🇷 Argentina’s opposition **Peronists** scored a comfortable win in **Buenos Aires province**, dealing a blow to President **Javier Milei**. Provisional results show the Peronists ahead by **13 percentage points**, far wider than polls suggested. Milei is pushing painful but overdue **economic reforms** while also facing a **corruption scandal**, which hurt him on the campaign trail. For Argentina, the result signals growing resistance to austerity — and a reminder that voters may back reforms in theory, but punish them at the ballot box. 🛢️ **OPEC+**, the group of major oil-producing countries, said it will increase production by 137,000 barrels a day in October. That’s more than many expected, but so far prices haven’t fallen sharply. The challenge is what comes next: if global demand for oil slows down, the extra supply could tip the balance and push prices lower. Since oil prices affect everything from petrol costs to politics, OPEC+ says it will keep a close eye on the market. 🇳🇴 **Norwegians** began **voting** in what’s shaping up to be a tight race between the ruling left-wing coalition and an opposition bloc of the Progress Party and Conservatives. The campaign has revolved around the cost of living and how to use Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund amid shifting geopolitics. With polls too close to call, the outcome could reshape Norway’s stance on spending, energy, and its role in Europe. Ballots close this evening, with results expected soon after. --- ### Law Firm News _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst advises on student accommodation dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-advises-on-student-accommodation-dispute/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T08:35:02.000Z This one's all about dodging liability for fire safety defects. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A&O Shearman lead on pharma dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-o-she/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T08:34:49.000Z A&O Shearman and Pinsent Masons are advising on this blood technology dispute. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Shoosmiths appoints Ex-DLA Piper Boss to drive Global Growth URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/shoosmiths-appoints-ex-dla-piper-boss-to-drive-global-growth/ Last updated: 2025-09-05T14:43:35.000Z Shoosmiths wants to become a top-tier firm by 2030. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Stephenson Harwood, Clyde advise on shipping dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/stephenson-harwood-clyde-advise-on-shipping-dispute/ Last updated: 2025-09-05T14:32:56.000Z A major ship collision has led to a million pound law suit. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Trump vs Wind URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-trump-vs-wind/ Last updated: 2025-09-05T10:01:42.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here's what you need to know today: 💸 Trump's fighting wind turbines 🤖 OpenAI to develop AI chips 📦 Sidley, Paul Weiss lead on merger 🧑‍💻 BCLP, Cleary face off in tech claim 🙋 What is a Buyback --- ### Orsted, US States sue Trump Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Orsted-backed Revolution Wind have **sued the Trump administration** after it abruptly halted an almost-finished offshore wind farm, citing national security concerns. The project, 80% complete and worth $5bn, is meant to power hundreds of thousands of New England homes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image.png) **What’s going on?** We've got two states and a Danish wind giant versus a president who really, *really* hates turbines. Trump’s order — citing “national security” — has frozen a project years in the making, and Revolution Wind says it’s on the hook for $1bn in wasted costs if the plug stays pulled. For Orsted, the timing couldn’t be worse. Its stock has already tanked 40% this year, and it’s begging shareholders for cash to survive. For New England, it’s a gut punch: jobs, clean power, and billions in investment are stuck in legal limbo. **How does this impact Law Firms?** **⚖️ Litigation:** The Revolution Wind lawsuits against the Trump administration are just the beginning of what could become a wave of challenges from energy companies and state governments. Lawyers will be busy drafting emergency applications for injunctions to prevent stop-work orders from taking effect, as well as handling constitutional claims around due process and federal overreach. For example, dispute resolution lawyers would prepare and argue an urgent motion in federal court seeking to vacate the stop-work order so that construction can resume before billions in sunk costs are lost. **🔋 Energy:** Offshore wind projects must navigate a complex web of regulatory approvals covering everything from marine conservation to national defence. With the federal government now suspending or revoking permits, lawyers will be needed to re-secure licences and defend environmental approvals that have already been granted. An example of their work would be advising Orsted on how to preserve its lease and permitting rights and prepare submissions to demonstrate compliance with marine-life protection standards. --- ### Must-Know Today ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/09/image-2.png) 🇫🇷 **French PM François Bayrou** faces a confidence vote Monday over his push for budget cuts. If he loses, **President Emmanuel Macron** could be pressured into calling snap elections — something he’s desperate to avoid after last year’s vote produced a splintered parliament. France is already shaky politically, and another election could freeze policymaking. For Macron, the best outcome is Bayrou surviving the vote, but the bigger test is whether he can still push through unpopular fiscal reforms. 🇸🇦 **Saudi Arabia** just revealed it pulled in $31.7bn in foreign direct investment last year — nearly 37% more than first reported. That’s just shy of the kingdom’s 2021 record and signals investors are still buying into Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 diversification push. The strong start to 2025, with the best Q1 since 2022, suggests Riyadh is landing foreign partners for mega-projects. 🤖 **OpenAI** is teaming up with **Broadcom** to churn out AI chips, according to insiders. Broadcom’s stock jumped after it revealed soaring revenue from a $10bn order tied to a mysterious new client (spoiler: it’s OpenAI). The move shows how the AI arms race isn’t just about the tech but also the chips. World powers are sparring over chip supply chains because whoever controls the hardware bottleneck controls the future of AI. And Sam Altman wants fewer bottlenecks. 🇩🇰 **Denmark’s central bank** will slash its 2025 growth forecast after a rough summer. Governor Christian Kettel Thomsen admitted weaker sales at Novo Nordisk — yes, even Wegovy can’t save everything — plus new US tariffs mean the earlier prediction of growth above last year’s 3.5% isn’t realistic. Novo’s slowdown is a big deal: the drugmaker has become a pillar of Denmark’s economy. Tariffs just add more drag. For a country often seen as Europe’s stable overachiever, it’s a rare downgrade. --- ### Law Firm News _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Weiss, Sidley advise on Evri-DHL merger URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-weiss-sidley-advise-on-evri-dhl-merger/ Last updated: 2026-09-29T07:43:52.000Z The UK competition watchdog has approved Evri’s merger with DHL eCommerce UK. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BCLP, Cleary lead on Tesco software claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-cleary-lead-on-tesco-software-claim/ Last updated: 2025-09-04T14:39:52.000Z Tesco is suing a software provider for abuse of market dominance. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Eversheds boost Corporate and Commercial teams URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/eversheds-boost-corporate-and-commercial-teams/ Last updated: 2025-09-04T13:47:04.000Z Eversheds Sutherland has made a triple partner hire to strengthen its corporate and commercial practices. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughter and May - AC Insider (TC) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughter-and-may-ac-insider-tc/ Last updated: 2025-09-01T10:30:32.000Z Here is a detailed insight on what to expect from the **Slaughter and May TC Assessment Centre** taken directly from a candidate experience! Plus tips on how to impress Slaughter and May. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Asset Advisory Set-Up URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/asset-advisory-set-up/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T15:20:37.000Z Fieldfisher is advising on the set up of this Employee Ownership Trust. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Pinsent, Penningtons lead on Pharma Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/pinsent-penningtons-lead-on-pharma-dispute/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T13:19:36.000Z The dispute centres around a new blood pressure treatment. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Memo: Goodbye De Minimis URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/memo-goodbye-de-minimis/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T08:45:19.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** **Here's what we got for you today:** **📦 End of De Minimis** 🚗 EU cuts trade deal with Trump 💸 Russia chases energy cash 💉 Eli Lilly hikes UK weight-loss drug prices 🇹🇭 Thailand PM faces suspension --- **Top Story** ### Bye Bye De Minimis The US just scrapped its long-standing **“de minimis” exemption** — the rule that let small packages under $800 slip in duty-free. Once meant to simplify mailing small items, it became the backbone of fast-and-cheap e-commerce from China. Now every parcel is paperwork, tariffs, and extra costs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-14.png) **What’s going on?** For years, Shein, Temu, and countless other exporters surfed the de minimis loophole to flood US doorsteps with $12 T-shirts and trinkets. That flood — 1.4 billion parcels last year, three-quarters from China — became too big to ignore. The US worried about unfair competition, fentanyl, and forced-labour goods sneaking in. So Trump pulled the plug. - **📈 The winners?** US small businesses, who say they finally stand a chance without being undercut by factory-direct rivals. Customs has already raked in nearly half a billion dollars since May, and US-based online shops report sales are bouncing back. - **📉 The losers?** Shoppers who’ll now pay higher prices, wait longer, and deal with surprise tariffs at checkout. Big parcel carriers like UPS and DHL are adding paperwork surcharges, and some national postal services stopped sending US-bound packages altogether. **How does this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Poundland's Restructuring URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/poundlands-restructuring/ Last updated: 2025-08-28T11:54:28.000Z DLA Piper and Slaughter and May are advising as Poundland's restructuring gets the go-ahead from the court. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sanctions Face-Off URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sanctions-face-off/ Last updated: 2025-08-28T10:12:47.000Z HSF Kramer and Weil are advising on this court case involving sanctions drama. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst (Summer Vacation Scheme 2026) - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-winter-vacation-scheme-2025-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-10-13T10:16:32.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Ashurst Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Ashurst Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - What has motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law and why have you applied to Ashurst? - What do you think are the three most important skills required to be a successful trainee and provide examples of where you may have demonstrated these skills. - Based on your research of Ashurst, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?\* - Describe a recent situation in which you received constructive feedback or encountered a setback and explain how you approached it as an opportunity for personal or professional development.\* ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley (Winter Vacation Scheme 2025) - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-winter-vacation-scheme-2025-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-08-25T09:00:27.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Sidley Austin Vacation Scheme** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Sidley Vacation Scheme application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - **Why does a career in commercial law and specifically Sidley Austin interest you?** - **Discuss a current commercial issue and why it interests you.** - **In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?** ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Weekly Memo: Give me a slice URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/weekly-memo-give-me-a-slice/ Last updated: 2025-08-24T08:30:39.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** In today's weekly memo we're covering a fair bit of Trump news (*sorry*), Air Canada's drama, US rate cuts and stablecoins. --- ### **Give me 10%** Welcome back to another episode of *what did Trump do this week*. This time, we've got one of his boldest moves yet. Thanks to Trump, the US government will take a nearly **10% stake in Intel** — worth $8.9bn — by converting unpaid CHIPS Act grants into equity. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-10-1.png) That means Washington gets **433.3m shares** (9.9% of Intel’s stock), plus a warrant that could give it **another 5%** if Intel ever loses majority control of its chipmaking arm. Crucially, the US won’t get a board seat or voting rights, but it will be Intel’s largest single shareholder. Trump hailed it as a “*great Deal for America*,” casting it as a way to reboot Intel’s fading chip dominance and secure domestic supply. Intel gets billions to fund its $100bn US factory buildout; taxpayers get a chance at upside instead of just writing a subsidy cheque. - **The catch?** Money won’t fix Intel’s technology gap overnight — it still needs customers, and lots of them. For now, the government has gone from regulator to part-owner, a huge shift in the “hands-off” capitalism America usually preaches. **Is this normal?** In short, *no*. Here's why: - **State as Shareholder** – The US almost never takes equity in healthy companies. This kind of direct ownership is usually reserved for bailouts during crises, not Fortune 500 giants like Intel. - **CHIPS Act Flip** – Trump turned what was meant to be “free” subsidies into equity swaps, making the government look more like a venture capitalist than a grant-giver. - **Capitalism Blur** – It sets a precedent that blurs the line between free markets and state-directed industry. It also makes you wonder which company might be next... --- ### **Arizona Copper Crunch** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-11.png) Rio Tinto and BHP meet up with Donald. Mining giants **Rio Tinto** and **BHP** sat down with **Trump** to push Resolution Copper, a mine that’s been stuck in limbo for years. The pitch? This single site could supply a quarter of America’s copper needs for the next four decades. The snag? An appeals court blocked development the day before their meeting. Trump fired back on social media: “We need Copper—AND NOW!” Investors are watching closely because copper isn’t just for wiring — it’s the metal that powers EVs, wind farms, and the green transition. The battle over this mine isn’t geology; it’s the front line of industrial policy. Like our roundup? Join ZipLaw+ to get one like this every day of the week! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- ### **EU-US Trade Deal** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-9.png) We got a **EU-US trade deal**. Trump has walked back threats of 200–250% tariffs on EU pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. Here's what has been agreed: - **Tariff rate**: EU pharma & semiconductor exports to the US capped at **15%**, not the triple-digit rates Trump threatened. - **Cars**: EU car tariffs fall from 27.5% → 15%, but **only once Europe passes legislation cutting US industrial tariffs to zero**. - **US exports**: EU to eliminate tariffs on all US industrial goods, incl. agriculture. - **Start date**: 1 September, with car tariff cuts retroactive once EU legislation begins. - **Exclusions**: Wine & spirits stayed tariffed, frustrating both industries. **Why it matters:** This is a fragile ceasefire in the world’s biggest trading relationship. Europe avoids economic shock in key export sectors (Ireland’s pharma, Denmark’s Novo Nordisk, Germany’s autos), while Trump secures “historic access” for US goods. But with wine, spirits, and cars still under pressure, the deal feels more like duct tape than a permanent fix. --- ### **Worth Knowing** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/Graphics--37-.png) **🍁 Air Canada Strike Over**: Flight attendants ended a three-day strike that grounded hundreds of flights and hit 500,000 travellers. New deal: attendants get half pay for boarding time, which used to be free labour. Small win for workers, big relief for holidaymakers stranded at airports. **💊 Ozempic Discount Time**: Novo Nordisk cut Ozempic’s US price in half for uninsured buyers. Why? Competition is heating up, and rivals are eating market share. The Danish drugmaker says 98% of users already get the drug through insurance, but this move is about optics and staying ahead. Shares bounced on the news, but the long-term weight-loss wars are just beginning. **🧸 Pop Mart Mania**: Chinese toymaker Pop Mart posted a 400% profit surge in H1 2025 thanks to its Labubu dolls that sell like gold. 40% of sales came from outside China, and shares are up 250% this year. Market cap? Now bigger than Mattel + Hasbro combined. --- **👀 Keep an eye on** ### Cuts are Coming ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-8.png) **Jerome Powell** gave his swan song at **Jackson Hole**, and markets heard one thing: rate cuts are coming. Probably in September. But the Fed looks like a Thanksgiving dinner table — one group wants multiple cuts, another says “just one and chill,” and a third insists “no dessert until inflation’s back at 2%.” Powell’s pitch was “the risks have shifted,” code for: jobs are wobbling, tariffs are biting, and we might have to move before inflation behaves. Why it matters? The Fed sets the cost of money. Lower rates = cheaper loans, higher stocks, and Trump yelling “too late.” Unlock 400+ cases, deals, news about your favourite law firms to impress in applications and ACs! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- ### Term of the Week: **Stablecoin** A *stablecoin* is like a digital IOU tied to a “real” asset e.g. a dollar or euro. Imagine using Monopoly money at a shop, but the cashier promises each bill is always worth exactly one real coin. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-7.png) 👀 **Real-world example:** Japanese startup JPYC just got the green light to launch a stablecoin pegged to the yen this autumn. It’ll be backed by Japanese government bonds — think US dollar stablecoins, but Tokyo edition. Plan: issue ¥1trn ($6.8bn) over three years. Stablecoins are the new currency experiments, and Japan wants in before crypto becomes a global standard. --- 🙋 **Did you find this helpful?** If so, please let us know by voting below! ### How AI is Changing Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-ai-is-changing-law-firms/ Last updated: 2025-08-20T10:00:26.000Z It's no secret AI is a big deal for law firms. Harvey’s deals with **Latham & Watkins** and **Willkie Farr & Gallagher** show that AI isn’t a shiny add-on anymore, it's a minimum requirement *and* a force reshaping law firm economics. Today we cover the **risks vs opportunities AI presents law firms**, and how you can use this to impress in **applications** and **interviews**. *Enjoy!* --- ### What are the Risks for Law Firms? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-6.png) **1) Profit Pressure**: Law firms make money by billing hours. The more lawyers working longer hours, the more revenue. But if AI can do a big chunk of routine tasks—*like due diligence or contract review*—then fewer hours are billed. Some recent studies suggested that if junior lawyers’ hours fell by just 20%, overall revenue could drop by 13% and profits by 7%. That’s a big hit. In short: AI saves clients money, but it squeezes law firm profit margins. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst Winter Vacation Scheme - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-winter-vacation-scheme-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T16:57:54.000Z **Ashurst's** Winter Vac Scheme is *noooow open* with a deadline set for **12 September** andwe’ve got a fresh Playbook to make sure you stand out and impress them. **This Playbook (3,327 words) covers:** - What is Ashurst's strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Ashurst boosting and why? - What do Ashurst's recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from Ashurst's financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Ashurst VS Deadline:** 12 September --- ## 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 💡 ****In short:** Ashurst’s strategy focuses on six priority industries – including private capital, ****energy & resources**, ****infrastructure**, ****real estate**, and the ****digital economy/technology** – which now generate over 85% of its revenue. The firm is investing heavily in these areas (e.g. energy transition and disputes) and in integrated services like ****Ashurst Advance** (NewLaw) to meet evolving client demands. **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Weekly Memo: Meet me in Alaska URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/weekly-memo-meet-me-in-alaska/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T09:53:09.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** In today's weekly memo we're covering the Trump-Putin meeting, AI's race for funding, new tariffs and much more! --- ### **Meet me in Alaska?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-1.png) **Trump’s** Alaska hangout with Putin didn’t deliver a ceasefire, but it did crank up the pressure on Ukraine. **Putin** wants Kyiv to hand over the entire Donbas, and Trump seems more interested in a grand peace deal than a quick truce. That shift has Europe sweating — allies worry Putin just scored the bigger win by getting Trump to play ball. Zelenskiy, meanwhile, is flying into Washington D.C. tomorrow, already saying “*no land for peace.*” Watch this space. - **Why the Donbas?** The Donbas is Ukraine’s eastern industrial hub, rich in coal and steel. Russia allegedly already controls most of it, but capturing the rest would hand Moscow full control of Ukraine’s energy powerhouse *and* its main defensive line. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-17-at-10.28.48.png) --- ### **Looking for Funding** **Sam Altman** wants to spend *trillions* (yes, with a T) to build the infrastructure for AI — if he can figure out how to actually raise it. He hinted **OpenAI** is cooking up a funding model “the world has not yet figured out.” For now, OpenAI’s already fronting a $500bn four-year moonshot project called Stargate. Meanwhile, **Zuck** is busy too: **Meta** just locked in $29bn from private credit heavyweights Pimco and Blue Owl to build a mega AI data centre in Louisiana. --- ### **Saudi Gas Play** **BlackRock** inked an $11bn deal with Saudi Aramco to lease natural-gas processing facilities, a big win for Riyadh’s push to lure foreign capital. Aramco hailed the move as proof of its global appeal, but the backdrop is less glossy: Saudi Arabia is facing mounting fiscal pressure and has struggled to attract serious investment beyond oil and gas. The deal underscores a familiar pattern — when it comes to drawing foreign money, the kingdom’s energy assets remain the only game in town. --- ### **In Tariff News** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-5.png) Trump is cranking up the tariff talk — this time targeting **semiconductors**. He said he'll slap levies on chips “next week or the week after,” floating rates as high as **200–300%**. Trump hasn’t explained how exemptions would work, though Apple (which pledged $600bn in US manufacturing) may get a pass. The move could reshape global supply chains, spook AI firms, and rattle consumer electronics. Meanwhile, the **US** and **China** hit snooze on new tariffs for 90 days. Deadline reset: 10 November. Meanwhile, Nvidia & AMD agreed to give the US 15% of their China chip sales just to keep selling. That’s not a tax — that’s a subscription fee. Beijing told domestic firms to avoid Nvidia’s H20 chips (but didn’t outright ban them). Translation: both sides are circling, nobody’s throwing a knockout punch yet. Like our roundup? Join ZipLaw+ to get one like this every day of the week! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- ### **Worth Knowing** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/Graphics--85-.png) **🇬🇧 UK GDP = Meh, But Not Bad:** Britain’s economy grew 0.3% in Q2\. Not fireworks, but not a recession either. April and May were ugly, but June carried the team. Taxes went up, trade stayed messy, and yet… growth! The government is breathing again, but economists are still side-eyeing 2025 like, “don’t get too comfortable.” **🇦🇺 Aussie Rate Cut**: Australia’s central bank cut rates by 0.25% to 3.6%. Inflation’s calming down, so they pulled the trigger. Markets weren’t shocked — the surprise was in July when they *didn’t* cut. Big picture: Aussies still have pricey mortgages, China’s buying less, and commodities are wobbling. **📊 US Inflation Steady, Wall St Party**: US inflation stuck at 2.7% in July, but core inflation ticked up to 3.1% thanks to pricier services (airfares jumped 4% in a month). Markets loved it — S&P and Nasdaq hit record highs on hopes the Fed cuts rates in September. --- **👀 Keep an eye on** ### Perplexity Shoots Its Shot ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image.png) Credit: Gee-Oh AI search darling **Perplexity** just lobbed a $34.5bn offer to buy **Google’s Chrome** browser. The pitch: if antitrust regulators ever force Google to sell Chrome, we’re first in line. **Reality check:** Chrome is Alphabet’s crown jewel, controlling two-thirds of global browsing — it’s not going anywhere. But the move wasn’t about closing a deal; it was about grabbing headlines. Perplexity is signalling, “We’re not scared of Google, we want a seat at the table.” Bold flex, free PR, and not a dime spent. Unlock 400+ cases, deals, news about your favourite law firms to impress in applications and ACs! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- **➡️ Week Ahead** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/image-2.png) **Sunday:** Bolivia holds a general election. **Monday:** Zelenskiy meets Trump in Washington; Chile and Thailand release GDP figures. **Tuesday:** Canada reports inflation; US housing starts data; earnings from Home Depot and Xiaomi. **Wednesday:** Fed minutes from its last meeting; rate decisions in Indonesia, Sweden, New Zealand and Israel; inflation data from the UK, eurozone and South Africa; earnings from Target, Lowe’s and Baidu. **Thursday:** Walmart reports earnings; Fed’s Jackson Hole gathering begins. **Friday:** Fed chair Powell delivers his keynote at Jackson Hole; Germany releases GDP; Japan reports inflation. --- ### 💡 Quiz ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/08/Graphics--86-.png) - Which two leaders met in Alaska this week, with talks focused on Ukraine? - UK inflation fell again in July — what policy move are markets now expecting from the Bank of England? - Which UK online fashion retailer’s shares plunged after warning on profits due to weak consumer spending? - Which greeting card retailer bought Funky Pigeon from WH Smith for £24m? - Which Wall Street bank announced a major restructuring of its investment banking division to cut costs and boost profitability? Reply to this email with your answers! We'll send out solutions on our next newsletter 😄 --- ### Term of the Week: Rights Issue **Think of a rights issue like this:** your gym needs money to build a fancy new sauna. Instead of borrowing, it asks *current members* to chip in extra cash — but offers them the new membership at a discount as an incentive. 👀 **Real-world example:** Ørsted, a leading wind energy company, is doing exactly that — asking shareholders for **$9bn** to keep its renewable projects alive. Investors can buy new shares at a lower price, but only if they believe the wind farms will actually get finished. The move caused political backlash and a massive drop in Ørsted's shares. --- 🙋 **Did you find this helpful?** If so, please let us know by voting below! ### Addleshaw Goddard, TLT advise on Funky Pigeon deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/addleshaw-goddard-tlt-advise-on-funky-pigeon-deal/ Last updated: 2025-08-15T16:36:21.000Z Card Factory has snapped up online greeting cards rival Funky Pigeon from WH Smith for £24 million. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### LatinOil URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latinoil/ Last updated: 2025-08-15T13:28:29.000Z **In Short:** BP surprised everyone with a $2.4bn quarterly profit — a third higher than expected — *and* its biggest oil discovery in 25 years: the “Bumerangue” field off Brazil’s coast. The find cements South America’s position as the world’s fastest-growing oil region, with Brazil, Guyana, and Argentina leading the charge. **What’s going on?** South America is shaping up to be oil’s next blockbuster stage. Brazil’s output is surging past 3.7m barrels a day this year, and the Bumerangue discovery will only fuel the rush, boosting interest ahead of Brazil’s October oil rights auction. Guyana is a rising star too — Stabroek Block alone could take it from under 1m barrels a day now to over 1.2m by 2030, despite corporate squabbles between Exxon and Chevron. And in Argentina, President Milei’s pro-business shift has unleashed Vaca Muerta’s shale riches, with production up 26% year-on-year and a new pipeline set to turbocharge exports. With US shale fields maturing, the industry’s growth spotlight is drifting south. For oil majors, South America now looks less like a frontier market and more like the main event — and BP just bought front-row seats. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Iconic Football Dispute URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/iconic-football-dispute/ Last updated: 2025-08-15T13:00:39.000Z Kirkland & Ellis and RPC are advising on this claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slaughters, Latham lead on £1.5B Energy Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/slaughters-latham-lead-on-1-5b-energy-deal/ Last updated: 2025-08-14T13:40:04.000Z Slaughter and May, Latham and HSF Kramer are advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ashurst leads on engineering takeover URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ashurst-leads-on-engineering-takeover/ Last updated: 2025-08-13T13:02:40.000Z Canadian engineering giant WSP Global has cleared a major hurdle in its £281 million takeover of Ricardo. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sidley - Playbook (Vacation Scheme) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/sidley-playbook-vacation-scheme/ Last updated: 2025-08-12T08:45:40.000Z Application season is coming back! **Sidley Austin's** Winter Vac Scheme deadline is set for **12 September** and we've got a fresh Playbook to make sure you stand out and impress them. **This Playbook (3,327 words) covers:** - What is Sidley's strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Sidley boosting and why? - What do Sidley’s recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from Sidley's financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Sidley VS Deadline:** 12 September --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy 💡 ****In short:** Sidley is ****prioritizing private equity deals, regulatory work, and high-impact sectors** (like tech and energy). Recent cases, hires, and awards all point to a firm doubling down on **sponsor-side transactions*, **compliance/enforcement matters*, and **ESG-related practices*. This focus aligns with client demand for dealmaking savvy, regulatory guidance, and sustainability expertise. **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why Law Firms are eyeing up India expansion URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-law-firms-are-eyeing-up-india-expansion/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T17:06:23.000Z India has finally opened its doors to foreign law firms—*sort of*. What sounds like a golden ticket could easily become a regulatory minefield. In this deep dive, we break down what the new rules *actually* mean, the billion-dollar opportunities law firms are chasing, and the hidden risks that just triggered a crackdown on two major firms. **What's going on?** On **14 May 2025**, the **Bar Council of India (BCI)** announced game-changing amendments allowing foreign law firms to **establish offices in India**. After two years of deliberation, this marks the most significant liberalisation of India’s legal sector in decades—and global firms are taking notice. **Why This Matters** The new rules allow foreign firms to: - Open offices in India for **non-litigious transactional work**. - Handle **arbitration proceedings** seated in India. - Operate under a structured regime involving **registration fees, renewals, and compliance requirements**. While courtroom advocacy remains off-limits, this is a green light for transactional and disputes practices that have long managed India-related deals from hubs like London, Singapore, and Dubai. --- **What’s Driving the Move?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bridgepoint Bets on Broking Blitz URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bridgepoint-bets-on-broking-blitz/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T13:11:21.000Z Sidley is leading on this specialist insurance deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham leads on Cyber Takeover URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-leads-on-cyber-takeover/ Last updated: 2025-08-08T17:12:02.000Z The transaction will be carried out through a voluntary cash tender offer. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### River Island's Last Minute Save URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/river-islands-last-minute-save/ Last updated: 2025-08-08T16:14:18.000Z **In Short** River Island has secured court approval for a restructuring plan that saves over **4,000 jobs** but will close **33 of its 230 stores** — with more than 1,000 roles still at risk. The move trims costs to keep the family-owned fashion chain afloat in the age of Shein and Temu. **What’s Going On?** The high street staple warned it could run out of cash by the end of August without the deal. The plan slashes rents, shuts underperforming stores, and secures **£40m in funding** from the founding Lewis family. Not everyone was happy — fewer than 75% of landlords backed it — but the court still gave the go-ahead. The closures are part of a wider retail trend, as rivals like Topshop and Oasis have already gone online-only. River Island blames rising costs and a mismatch between its store portfolio and customer shopping habits. **Insights** This is a survival playbook for the modern high street. Retailers with legacy store networks face a stark choice: adapt, shrink, and go digital-first, or risk joining the growing list of brands that live only on a browser tab. Expect other chains — from Poundland to Hobbycraft — to be watching this court-backed “*store diet*” closely. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fine Art Fiasco URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fine-art-fiasco/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T17:54:39.000Z Wedlake Bell advises art collector claiming that Christie's masked the murky past of a £14.5m Picasso. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BCLP adopts Legora’s AI Platform URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-adopts-legoras-ai-platform/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T11:58:37.000Z **In Short: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP)** has rolled out **Legora’s AI tool** firmwide after a successful pilot with over 100 lawyers across multiple offices and departments. The firm will now use the platform for **document review, due diligence, and legal drafting**, marking a major step in its innovation strategy. **Key Legal Points to Discuss in Applications & Interviews:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trump hits India with extra 25% Tariffs: What it means for Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/trump-hits-india-with-extra-25-tariffs-what-it-means-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T09:37:11.000Z **Trump announced a new 25% tariff on Indian goods**, citing India’s ongoing **purchases of Russian energy**. This will stack on top of a previous 25% India-specific tariff, bringing the total tax to 50% on a wide range of Indian exports to the U.S. The announcement came just hours after failed talks between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine and forms part of a wider U.S. strategy to pressure countries that continue doing business with Russia. India, a key member of BRICS and a major energy importer, has been singled out for its refusal to cut ties. **So, what does this mean for law firms and their clients?** --- **Why the Tariffs Matter** India is a major exporter of **pharmaceuticals, textiles, auto parts, IT hardware**, and more to the U.S. Many of these goods currently enter the American market at **low or no tariffs**. That changes overnight. With tariffs hitting **50%**, businesses will now have to: - **Reprice Products**: Can they raise prices without losing market share? - **Review Sourcing**: Should they shift supply chains to avoid Indian origin goods? - **Stay Compliant**: Are they following the correct customs processes and tariff classifications? ### **How will this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Toyota’s Bumpy Ride URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/toyotas-bumpy-ride/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T08:38:10.000Z **In Short**: Toyota has warned it faces a ¥1.4tn (£7.1bn) hit from Donald Trump’s trade tariffs, prompting a profit downgrade and a drop in quarterly earnings. The car giant is feeling the heat as new “reciprocal” tariffs take hold — with Japan now facing a 15% levy on car exports to the US. **What’s Going On?** **Toyota’s outlook just got dented.** The world’s largest carmaker has slashed its annual profit forecast by 16%, blaming Trump’s tariffs, pricier materials, and a stronger yen. Its quarterly profit also dipped nearly 11%. Rival Honda is hurting too — it posted a 50% profit drop after a ¥124bn tariff bill. The root of the problem? Trump’s latest tariff blitz. Dozens of countries are now facing elevated US import duties. Japan’s deal with Washington trimmed sector-specific tariffs from 27.5% to a flat 15% — still a painful hit for carmakers. Autos are critical to Japan’s economy, making up over 25% of its US exports. **Insights** For the auto industry, this is a full-blown risk to global strategy. Carmakers are being forced to rework supply chains, rethink pricing, and possibly shift production to dodge levies. And while hybrids are keeping Toyota’s sales humming, Wall Street hates uncertainty — hence the 10% share price slide this year. The big picture? Trump’s trade policies are reshaping the rules of the road for the world’s biggest exporters. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Lewis Silkin opens Glasgow Office URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/lewis-silkin-opens-glasgow-office/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T08:32:33.000Z The move fulfils a long-term strategic goal and further extends the firm’s UK-wide employment law coverage. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### DWF, Clyde lead on Juice Claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dwf-clyde-lead-on-juice-claim/ Last updated: 2025-08-06T20:36:58.000Z Innocent Drinks is suing a project management consultancy for €9.6 million. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham steer $380M Shelf Drilling takeover URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-steer-380m-shelf-drilling-takeover/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T19:59:49.000Z Saudi oil services giant ADES is acquiring Norwegian rival Shelf Drilling for 3.9 billion kroner ($380 million). _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case, Freshfields advise on Pharma Take-Private URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/white-case-freshfields-advise-on-pharma-take-private/ Last updated: 2025-10-11T14:09:37.000Z Use this to impress in your White & Case application. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### EU–US Trade Deal: What it means for Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/the-eu-us-trade-deal-what-it-means-for-law-firms/ Last updated: 2025-07-30T08:45:42.000Z After months of tense negotiations, the EU and U.S. have struck a preliminary trade agreement that imposes a **15% tariff on most EU goods**, including cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. This is a big deal because these industries form the backbone of Europe’s export economy. Crucially, the agreement avoids the **30% tariff** that was previously threatened — a move that could have ignited a full-blown trade war. The deal also comes with **energy and investment commitments**: the EU will buy $750 billion of U.S. energy products and invest $600 billion in the U.S. economy. These numbers signal a major realignment in transatlantic trade priorities and will shape business decisions for years to come. **So, what does all this mean for law firms and their clients?** --- **Why Tariffs Matter** Before this deal, many EU products could be exported to the U.S. tariff-free. Now, companies selling into the U.S. must pay an extra 15% cost at the border. For industries like automotive manufacturing or semiconductors, where supply chains are already complex and margins can be tight, this is a big financial hit. Businesses will need to: - **Recalculate Pricing**: Should they absorb the extra cost or pass it on to customers? - **Reconfigure Supply Chains**: Can they source materials differently to reduce exposure? - **Stay Compliant**: Are they meeting new rules of origin and customs requirements? ### **How will this impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### White & Case leads as Monte dei Paschi’s €13.3B takeover URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/whitmonte-dei-paschis-eu13-3b-takeover-cleared/ Last updated: 2025-10-11T14:12:50.000Z Use this to impress in your White & Case vacation scheme application. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### M&A Boom Incoming: Here's why URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/m-a-boom-incoming-heres-why/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T13:00:28.000Z **In Short:** After a rocky start to 2025—with Trump’s tariffs rattling markets and “Liberation Day” freezing dealmaking in its tracks—you might expect law firm leaders to be downbeat. But quite the opposite. Across the UK and Asia, confidence is creeping back. M&A is picking up pace, competitive auctions are back on the table, and clients are no longer spooked by volatility—they’re working around it. So, is the deal drought over? The second half of 2025 could be the comeback season law firms have been waiting for. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/07/image-2.png) **What's going on?** #### **1\. Public M&A is powering through the volatility** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Getty drops part of AI claim against Stability URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/getty-drops-part-of-ai-claim-against-stability/ Last updated: 2025-06-26T08:39:25.000Z **In Short**: Getty Images has quietly dropped several key parts of its UK copyright lawsuit against Stability AI — including the headline-grabbing claim that 7.5 million of its images were used to train the Stable Diffusion model. What remains is a narrower dispute focused on whether 17 specific AI-generated images infringe Getty’s rights. **What’s Going On?** This is a major tactical retreat. Getty had originally claimed that Stability trained its AI using millions of its images scraped from the web — but it’s now dropped that core allegation. That means the court won’t be deciding the biggest legal question hanging over AI: *is training a model on copyrighted content unlawful?* Instead, Getty will argue that 17 output images from Stable Diffusion are so similar to Getty’s that they amount to infringement. Stability, for its part, will argue that any similarities are incidental or the result of user prompts — not copying. **Insights**: This move sharply limits the trial’s potential impact. What was shaping up to be a landmark case on the legality of AI training now looks more like a conventional copyright dispute over a small set of outputs. For AI developers, that’s a breather — no sweeping precedent (yet) on the legality of using scraped content for training. But the bigger copyright clash is far from over. With regulators circling and lawsuits stacking up elsewhere, the AI world is still waiting for the moment when a court draws the lines on what’s fair game for training machines. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Paul Hastings - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/paul-hastings-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-06-24T08:31:08.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Paul Hastings TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **Paul Hastings application** with answers to the questions below **Questions covered** - Why do you wish to complete a work placement with us? (300 words max) - What has attracted you to Paul Hastings? (300 words max) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### WFW - Video Interview Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/wfw-video-interview-insider/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T20:13:46.000Z What to expect and how to stand out in the WFW Video Interview. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### RPC TC - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/rpc-tc-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T09:48:57.000Z Here's how you can ace your **RPC TC** application. This report contains 👇 - A successful **RPC application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - *Provide an example where you have demonstrated your ability to collaborate and explain your actions.* - *Describe why a career in commercial law appeals to you. What skills do you think are needed to be a successful commercial lawyer?* - *Why are you applying to RPC?* - *Identify a current commercial issue which is relevant to RPC. Please explain why you consider it to be significant to the stakeholders involved.* _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Morgan Lewis TC - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/morgan-lewis-playbook/ Last updated: 2025-06-18T09:00:35.000Z Want to ace your **Morgan Lewis TC Application**? Here's all the research you need to impress Morgan Lewis. **This Playbook (3,967 words) covers:** - What is Morgan Lewis’ strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Morgan Lewis boosting and why? - What do Morgan Lewis’ recent hires tell us? - 5 deals Morgan Lewis advised on - Must-Know data from Morgan Lewis’ financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Morgan Lewis TC Deadline:** 25 June --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy **In short:** Morgan Lewis is zeroing in on booming sectors like life sciences, technology/IP, and investment funds, while bolstering disputes and regulatory expertise. Recent hires and cases show the firm doubling down on pharma patent litigation, private equity funds, and high-stakes litigation, all to meet client demand in a changing market. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/06/image-4-1.png) **Details:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes, Linklaters lead on spin-off URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-linklaters-lead-on-spin-off/ Last updated: 2025-06-18T08:13:16.000Z Macfarlanes and Linklaters lead this key deal for a mining giant. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Drummer Opt-Out URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/drummer-opt-out/ Last updated: 2025-06-18T08:07:34.000Z Macfarlanes and Willkie are leading on this potential class action. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith - DealSheet URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-dealsheet/ Last updated: 2025-06-17T09:00:21.000Z Wouldn’t it be nice to have a list of recent cases and deals *handpicked* for the firm you’re applying to — without losing hours in research rabbit holes? We thought so too. Introducing **DealSheets** — our new reports gathering standout matters for top firms, pulled straight from our ZipTracker. This **Reed Smith DealSheet** includes: - 🚢 8 recent deals and cases RS advised on - 🧠 Clear summaries for each - ⚖️ Who Reed Smith advised, and the legal teams involved - 💡 Tips on *how to actually use these* to boost your application or interview answers **🗓️ Reed Smith TC Deadline:** 20 June --- **Deals** ### 🏝️ Miami Exchange Deal Miami International Holdings, owner of the Bermuda Stock Exchange, has acquired The International Stock Exchange Group (TISE) for £70.4 million. The deal was structured as a scheme of arrangement under Guernsey law and sanctioned by the Royal Court of Jersey — consolidating ownership of a key offshore securities exchange that services public and private clients. **Why It Matters:** This acquisition gives Miami International a strategic launchpad into Europe’s offshore financial markets, at a time when regulatory arbitrage and secondary listings are growing in importance post-Brexit. For Reed Smith, it highlights the firm’s ability to advise on complex, cross-jurisdictional M&A involving financial institutions, corporate structures, and regulatory regimes in the Channel Islands. **Reed Smith** **advised** *Miami International Holdings*, alongside Mourant Ozannes (Guernsey counsel). **💡 How to use this in your application:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Eversheds TC - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/eversheds-tc-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-06-10T09:29:27.000Z Want to ace your **Eversheds TC Application**? Here's all the research you need to impress Eversheds. **This Playbook (1,617 words) covers:** - What is Eversheds’ strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Eversheds boosting and why? - What do Eversheds‘ recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from Eversheds financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Eversheds TC Deadline:** 22 June --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy Eversheds is doubling down on big-ticket sectors (real estate, energy, finance) and transactional work. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### WFW TC - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/wfw-tc-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-06-07T09:00:40.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Watson Farley & Williams** **TC Application**. This report contains 👇 - A successful **WFW TC Application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Deadline:** 23 June 2025 **Questions covered** - Which one of our core sectors interests you the most and why? - Describe an experience where you encountered an unexpected obstacle. How did you deal with this and what did you learn from it? - Provide an example of when you collaborated with others to reach a goal, and outline the role you played to support the team. - Describe a time when you received constructive feedback. How did you respond? ### Successful Application _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Burges Salmon - Application Insider (TC) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/burges-salmon-application-insider-tc/ Last updated: 2025-06-06T09:00:29.000Z How to ace your **Burges Salmon TC Application** Inside this report: ✅ A successful **Burges Salmon** TC application ✅ Expert commentary revealing what made each answer shine and how to take yours to the next level **⏱️ TC Deadline:** 20 June **Questions covered** - ***Why have you chosen to apply to Burges Salmon for a training contract and what attracts you to our firm?*** - ***What aspects of the solicitor role do you find most interesting?*** - ***Burges Salmon offers a six-seat training contract across a wide range of practice areas. Discuss 3 areas that you would be most interested in spending time in.*** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reed Smith TC - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/reed-smith-tc-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-06-04T08:59:59.000Z Reed Smith recently launched their new direct TC process... And our shiny new Playbook is here with all the research you need to ace your **Reed Smith TC Application**! **This Playbook (2,267 words) covers:** - What is Reed Smith's strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Reed Smith boosting and why? - What do Reed Smith's recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from Reed Smith financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Reed Smith TC Deadline:** 20 June --- ### 🧠 Practice Area Strategy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/Graphics--77-.png) **In short** - Reed Smith is **doubling down** on private equity, finance, and fund work, especially in London and the US. - Energy and ESG are **growing priorities**, with hires in LNG, renewables, and climate law. - Niche practices including Financial Industry Group (FIG) group and insurance recovery teams are **top performers**, showing strong demand in financial services and disputes. **In detail** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A Must-Know Litigation Change URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/a-must-know-litigation-change/ Last updated: 2025-06-03T13:00:18.000Z **Do you want to impress law firms with your litigation knowledge? Read on.** **The CPR just got a makeover.** On 6 April, sweeping changes to the *Civil Procedure Rules* (CPR) landed – a major update designed to simplify and modernise the rules governing interim remedies in litigation. Most notably, *CPR Part 25* – the playbook for interim remedies like freezing orders and search orders – has been restructured and streamlined. Now, we know this doesn't sound crazy exciting... BUT the implications for law firms, particularly those working in civil fraud, are significant, and if you can explain these in an application or interview, you're bound to stand out. **So, what’s changed in CPR 25?** 1. **A New Name and Structure** CPR Part 25 is no longer called “Interim Remedies Including Security for Costs” – now it’s just “Interim Remedies.” Shorter, clearer. The rules have been broken down into six neat sections, each focusing on a different type of remedy. Think of it like organising your messy folders into labelled subfolders. Oh, and the old Practice Directions 25A and 25B? Gone. Their content has been folded into the main rules to make things easier to find. 2. **Imaging Orders Finally Get a Home** Imaging orders – where someone’s digital devices are copied to preserve evidence – used to exist in practice but weren’t officially written into the rules. That’s changed. They’re now clearly included under CPR 25.1(1)(i). Why does this matter? Because in modern fraud cases, key evidence often lives in phones or cloud accounts. Now courts have formal backing to use these tools. 3. **New Model Orders (With Instructions!)** There are now three updated example court orders (called “model orders”) – including one that combines search and imaging powers. They come with footnotes and formatting tips, plus a big red-flag note: if you change anything, you must explain why. It’s about making the process more consistent and transparent – no surprises or hidden edits allowed. 4. **More Inclusive Language** Outdated wording like “women who may be alone” has been replaced with “persons.” It’s a small but important shift to make the rules more inclusive. But the rule behind the words hasn’t changed: if someone might be alone when a search happens, the court should make sure there’s someone else present to support them. Law firms involved in searches must be mindful of this. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dentons TC - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dentons-tc-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-06-02T09:00:10.000Z Want to ace your **Dentons TC Application**? Here's all the research you need to impress Dentons. **This Playbook (1,952 words) covers:** - What is Dentons' strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is Dentons boosting and why? - What do Dentons' recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from Dentons' financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ Dentons TC Deadline:** 6 June --- ### Practice Area Strategy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/Screenshot-2025-05-31-at-17.51.08.png) **In short** - The firm’s five-year “**Golden Thread**” strategy focuses on cross-border collaboration, client relationships, and linking its global offices. - Core growth areas include disputes, banking, corporate, projects, real estate, and technology/media. - Dentons is entering cutting-edge sectors like cannabis and building in-house innovation tools, signalling broader ambitions beyond traditional law. **The details** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### TLT TC - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-tc-playbook-2025-2/ Last updated: 2025-06-01T17:44:36.000Z Want to ace your **TLT TC Application**? Here's all the research you need to impress TLT. **This Playbook (1,900 words) covers:** - What is TLT's strategy for growth? - Which practice areas is TLT boosting and why? - What do TLT's recent hires tell us? - Must-Know data from TLT's financial results Plus how to use this information to stand out in applications and interviews! **⏱️ TLT TC Deadline:** 31 May --- ### 🔍TLT Practice Area Strategy ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-24.png) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Baker McKenzie boosts IP team with Life Sciences expert URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/baker-mckenzie-boosts-ip-team-with-life-sciences-expert/ Last updated: 2025-05-29T09:17:24.000Z A huge move for Baker's IP global practice. A big loss for Eversheds. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bird & Bird to Open Riyadh Office URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bird-bird-to-open-riyadh-office/ Last updated: 2025-05-23T07:53:18.000Z Bird & Bird joins the trend to open up shop in Riyadh. Here's why. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### EU's new Temu Tax URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/eus-new-temu-tax/ Last updated: 2025-05-21T16:56:47.000Z **In Short:** The EU is slapping a €2 handling fee on every small package shipped directly to consumers—mostly from China—via bargain platforms like Shein and Temu. It’s part of a wider shake-up to customs rules aimed at tightening border checks and levelling the playing field for EU retailers. **What’s Going On?** Fast, cheap, and direct-to-door parcels have flooded EU borders—4.6 billion last year, with over 90% from China. Customs can’t keep up, retailers are crying foul, and officials are worried about dodgy goods slipping through. The €2 fee (or €0.50 for warehouse-bound items) helps cover customs costs and nudges sellers to route goods via EU warehouses. That means more oversight, less chaos, and—yes—potentially pricier Shein hauls. Key details: - **€2 handling fee** for direct-to-consumer parcels - **€0.50 fee** for packages sent to EU warehouses - Scrapping of the **€150 de minimis exemption**, meaning *all* imported goods will be subject to VAT - Platforms will become liable for product compliance as “importers” **Insights:** Europe is quietly rewriting the rules of the e-commerce game. The EU’s also scrapping its €150 de minimis threshold, meaning sellers must register for VAT and be liable as importers. That’s a major compliance shift. Platforms like Temu and Shein, already on the back foot after Trump’s tariff tantrums, now face a double whammy. Expect changes to shipping models, more costs passed to consumers, and a new chapter in global e-commerce logistics. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### TLT, Bird & Bird lead on Vodafone staff claim URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/tlt-bird-bird-lead-on-vodafone-staff-claim/ Last updated: 2025-05-21T16:35:27.000Z Vodafone will face a £120 million lawsuit against its former UK franchisees. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Law Firms wait for London IPO market spark URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/law-firms-wait-for-london-ipo-market-spark/ Last updated: 2025-05-21T15:38:18.000Z *Is London’s IPO market finally about to turn a corner?* That’s the question gripping City bankers and law firms alike, as a handful of hopeful listings are poised to test investor appetite after a long and painful drought. - **Shein Trouble:** The much-hyped Shein IPO, once expected to be a £50 billion blockbuster and a poster child for London’s capital markets revival, has stalled amid rising geopolitical tension. The Chinese-founded fast fashion giant hit pause as it assesses the fallout from US trade tariffs—a sobering reminder that cross-border deals don’t exist in a vacuum. For law firms advising on equity capital markets, the wait has been long—and lean. IPO fundraising in London slumped below $1 billion in 2024, one of the worst years since the financial crisis. Lawyers specialising in public company transactions have had to pivot: from full-scale IPO instructions to strategic advisory work, dual-track deal planning (IPO vs. sale), and regulatory readiness exercises. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Cleary, Katten steer Dockers divestment URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/cleary-katten-steer-dockers-divestment/ Last updated: 2025-05-21T15:35:48.000Z Levi Strauss is selling its Dockers in a deal worth up to $391 million. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mastercard's £200M Settlement URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/mastercards-200m-settlement/ Last updated: 2025-05-21T11:27:27.000Z Freshfields, Willkie and Akin Gump are leading on this historic case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Macfarlanes, Gowling advise on £297M pawn shop deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/macfarlanes-gowling-advise-on-297m-pawn-shop-deal/ Last updated: 2025-06-16T21:13:38.000Z Macfarlanes leads as FirstCash buys up AIM-listed H&T Group via a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Norton Rose boosts Paris Projects team URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/norton-rose-boosts-paris-projects-team/ Last updated: 2025-05-20T10:23:20.000Z Here's why Norton Rose is boosting its Projects team. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BCLP TC - Playbook (2025) URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-tc-playbook-2025/ Last updated: 2025-06-01T17:45:01.000Z *You know what we hate?* Boring law firm summaries filled with information you can find anywhere 🚩 That's why we are launching **Playbooks** \- your insider guides to law firm strategy, deals, and hires to help you impress firms with 0 stress. *Sounds good?* Enjoy the first one (if you're applying to BCLP, you're in for a treat!). --- **⏱️ BCLP TC Deadline:** 31 May **In this Playbook we cover:** - Which locations and practices areas is BCLP investing in and why? - What BCLP's hires tell us about its strategy? - How is BCLP responding to challenges? - What do BCLP's financial results tell us? Plus how to use this information in applications and interviews! --- ### 🔍 BCLP Practice Area Strategy _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Pharma Cuts URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/pharma-cuts/ Last updated: 2025-05-19T09:01:46.000Z **In Short:** Donald Trump has ordered sweeping cuts to US drug prices, threatening to tie them to the much lower prices paid by other wealthy countries. Pharmaceutical stocks dipped, then bounced, as investors questioned how real the threat is. **What’s Going On?** If implemented, the US could finally stop being pharma’s cash machine. The plan forces drugmakers into 30-day negotiations to slash prices or face “most favoured nation” pricing—matching the lowest price globally. That hits hard: Wegovy costs $88 in London, but $1,300 in New York. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers could all feel the squeeze. Investors are nervous—UBS says US drugmakers risk a 10% profit hit, and even Euro pharma giants like AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk could feel the sting. Pharma lobbyists are sharpening their legal swords, while middlemen like CVS and UnitedHealth are also sweating under the spotlight. **Insights:** With elections looming, Trump is positioning himself as the man who tamed Big Pharma. But enforcement is tricky and pharma’s legal firepower is vast. Still, the message is clear: the golden era of unchecked US drug pricing may be on borrowed time—and law firms and policy teams should buckle up. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How Law Firms are cracking the China Code URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-law-firms-are-cracking-the-china-code/ Last updated: 2025-05-13T08:45:11.000Z **Freshfields**, **Norton Rose Fulbright**, and **Clifford Chance** are all doubling down on a strategy that’s flying under the radar but turning heads: entering **Joint Operations (JOs)** with Chinese firms. These aren’t full-blown mergers. Instead, they’re a clever workaround—foreign and Chinese firms join forces *on paper* to pitch for cross-border work, combining their capabilities while staying technically separate. Think of it as a legal ‘situationship’: close collaboration without the financial entanglement. - **What’s a Joint Operation?** Foreign firms aren’t allowed to practise Chinese law. But in designated free trade zones, JOs offer a legal loophole: a way for international and local firms to deliver PRC and foreign law advice as one package. It’s similar to Singapore’s “Formal Law Alliance” model, but with stricter geographic limitations. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dentons launches AI Tool URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/dentons-launches-ai-tool/ Last updated: 2025-05-13T08:38:54.000Z The new tool is expected to significantly boost lawyers productivity. Here’s how. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Big AI Energy Bet URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/big-ai-energy-bet/ Last updated: 2025-05-12T19:54:43.000Z White & Case, Milbank and Willkie Farr are advising on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BCLP, CMS lead on Forex IPO URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bclp-cms-lead-on-forex-ipo/ Last updated: 2025-05-12T17:33:43.000Z A great deal to discuss in your BCLP and CMS applications. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why should Law Firms expand in Paris? URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/why-should-law-firms-expand-in-paris/ Last updated: 2025-05-12T20:33:43.000Z This is an ****Expansion** story. Use it to answer questions relating to where a firm should expand or open an office next. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bristows IP Workshop - Application Insider URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/bristows-ip-workshop-application-insider/ Last updated: 2025-05-12T13:12:36.000Z Here's how you can ace your **Bristows 1st Year IP Workshop** application. **Deadline:** 31 May 2025 This report contains 👇 - A successful **Bristows 1st Year IP Workshop application** with answers to the questions below - **Expert feedback** on what made each answer shine and how to take it up a notch **Questions covered** - **Why are you interested in attending this workshop at Bristows?** *(250 words max)* - **Aside from law, what is something you are passionate about?** *(200 words max)* - **Please provide details of any extra-curricular activities you are involved in.** *(250 words max)* _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trade Deals URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/trade-deals-roundup-memo/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T13:38:43.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here's all the news you need to know from last week plus what to look out for this week. --- ### **US-UK Trade Deal** President **Trump** and Prime Minister **Keir Starmer** have agreed a **UK-US trade framework** aimed at easing tensions and boosting market access. While many details remain in flux, the deal offers targeted tariff relief and cooperation on future sectors—marking the first major pact under Trump’s new tariff regime. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-13.png) **Key Agreed Points:** - 🇺🇸 **US gains**: Easier access for American agriculture, chemicals, energy, and industrial goods, including a tariff-free quota of 13,000 metric tons of beef - 🇬🇧 **UK gains**: Reduced tariffs on autos (10%), steel, and aluminium, allowing up to 100,000 cars/year at the lower rate - 🤝 **Joint commitments**: Negotiations to begin on digital trade, pharmaceuticals, and high-tech cooperation in areas like AI, quantum computing, and aerospace --- ### **OpenAI and Microsoft Rewrite Partnership** **OpenAI** and **Microsoft** are renegotiating the terms of their multibillion-dollar partnership as the AI company prepares for a major **corporate restructuring** aimed at allowing a future **IPO**. The talks could reshape how OpenAI operates, moving it further from its **non-profit roots** while ensuring Microsoft still gets access to its cutting-edge **AI models**, like those behind **ChatGPT**. - A key issue is how much **equity** Microsoft receives in exchange for its **$13bn+ investment**. Microsoft may give up some of its ownership in return for extended access to future OpenAI tech beyond their current deal, which runs to **2030**. OpenAI plans to become a **public benefit corporation (PBC)** — a for-profit entity with a social mission — similar to rivals **Anthropic** and **xAI**. But the shift has sparked criticism, including from **Elon Musk**, who argues it puts profit ahead of public good. --- ### **Apple Eyes AI Search** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-16.png) Apple is exploring a major shake-up of **Safari**, its web browser, by shifting focus to **AI-powered search engines**—a move that could end its **$20 billion-a-year partnership** with Google. The disclosure came from **Eddy Cue**, Apple’s services chief, during a U.S. antitrust trial against Google. Apple currently makes Google the default search engine on its devices, but AI alternatives like **ChatGPT**, **Perplexity**, and **Anthropic** are gaining traction. Cue said Apple has had talks with several AI providers and may add more to Safari—though they likely won’t become the default just yet. He admitted Google's deal still offers the **best financial return**, but AI’s rapid progress means change is coming. --- ### **Tesla Falls** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-14.png) **Tesla** saw a dramatic fall in car sales across Europe in April: down 46% in Germany, 50% in France, and 62% in the UK. The decline suggests growing competition from local electric vehicle (EV) makers and possibly a shift in consumer attitudes towards Tesla’s brand. At the same time, Foxconn, the Taiwanese company famous for assembling iPhones, is entering the EV market. It has partnered with Mitsubishi to develop electric cars through its Foxtron subsidiary, with production planned in Taiwan and initial sales in Australia and New Zealand. Foxconn is also in talks with Nissan, hinting at a larger push into the car industry. As EV demand rises worldwide, more tech firms are joining the race, but the market is becoming crowded. Like our roundup? Join ZipLaw+ to get one like this every day of the week! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- ### **Interest Rates Roundup** The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25%–4.5% for the third time in a row, saying it’s still worried about both inflation (rising prices) and unemployment. The situation has been made more uncertain by President Trump’s tariffs, which are disrupting global trade. Despite a strong U.S. job market in April, Trump is publicly pressuring Fed Chair Jerome Powell to lower rates—calling him a “total stiff.” - **Around the world:** Other central banks are already loosening policy. China cut its main interest rate to 1.4% and eased lending rules to pump more money into its economy ahead of key trade talks with the U.S. The Bank of England also lowered its rate slightly, even though UK inflation is expected to rise due to higher energy bills. --- ### **Worth Knowing** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-17.png) **🎢 Disney** beat expectations with strong **streaming and theme park** revenue, led by **Disney+** and **Hulu**. The company also unveiled plans for a new **Abu Dhabi theme park**—its first in the Middle East—highlighting a push for **global expansion**. With films underperforming, streaming and parks are keeping profits afloat as Disney competes with **Netflix** and **Amazon**. 🌬️ **Orsted**, the world’s largest developer of offshore wind farms, has cancelled its Hornsea 4 project off the coast of Yorkshire. The project was supposed to provide electricity to 1 million UK homes and play a big role in meeting Britain’s net-zero emissions target by 2030\. But rising costs, supply chain delays, and planning challenges made it unworkable "in its current form." **🤝 India and Pakistan** have agreed to an **immediate ceasefire**, ending their worst military clash in over 20 years. **U.S. President Donald Trump** took credit for brokering the deal, announcing on **Truth Social** that a U.S.-mediated agreement was reached after a long night of talks. Unlock 400+ cases, deals, news about your favourite law firms to impress in applications and ACs! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- **➡️ Week Ahead** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-11.png) **Monday: EU finance ministers meet in Brussels; Canada unveils new cabinet led by Mark Carney** *Why it matters:* EU fiscal talks shape bloc-wide spending, debt, and reform policy—critical for law firms advising multinationals. Canada’s new leadership will influence trade, energy policy, and North American diplomacy. **Tuesday: Trump visits Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE; US and India report CPI; UK jobs data; SoftBank earnings** *Why it matters:* Trump’s Middle East trip could reshape foreign policy and defence deals; CPI data sets the tone for interest rates; UK jobs figures give a snapshot of labour market health; SoftBank earnings reveal sentiment in tech and venture capital. **Wednesday: Inflation reports from Germany, Spain, Japan and Argentina; NATO ministerial meeting in Turkey; Tencent earnings** *Why it matters:* Inflation prints test central bank strategies in major economies; NATO’s gathering may shift defence spending and security policy; Tencent earnings shed light on China’s tech and gaming ecosystem amid regulatory scrutiny. **Thursday: US retail sales; UK GDP figures; Mexico central bank expected to cut 50bps; Walmart and Alibaba earnings** *Why it matters:* Consumer spending and GDP data are key to recession fears; a Mexican rate cut signals monetary easing in emerging markets; retail earnings show how consumers are reacting to inflation and digital shifts. **Friday: Japan and Russia report GDP** *Why it matters:* Economic growth data from these major players influence global forecasts and commodity markets—especially with Russia under sanctions and Japan navigating sluggish growth. --- ### **Term of the Week** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-12-1.png) A **Takeover Premium** is the extra amount a buyer offers over a company's current market price to entice shareholders to sell. It's like offering your friend £2 for a £1.50 chocolate bar because you really want it. This premium compensates shareholders for giving up future potential gains and reflects the buyer's eagerness to acquire the company. - **👀 See it in practice:** U.S. food delivery giant DoorDash announced a £2.9 billion takeover of UK-based Deliveroo. DoorDash is offering 180 pence per share, which is a 29% premium over Deliveroo's previous share price of 140p. This generous offer aims to secure shareholder approval and expand DoorDash's footprint into the UK and Europe. --- 🙋 **Did you find this helpful?** If so, please let us know by voting below! ### Tesco can’t block Lidl’s new shop URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/tesco-cant-block-lidls-new-shop/ Last updated: 2025-05-10T20:12:11.000Z BCLP led on this claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### No Chip Caps URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/no-chip-caps/ Last updated: 2025-05-10T11:08:13.000Z **In Short:** The U.S. government is planning to scrap a complex Biden-era rule that would’ve limited the export of advanced AI chips to over 100 countries. Chipmakers like Nvidia and AMD are breathing a sigh of relief — for now. **What’s Going On?** The rule, meant to stop countries (especially China) from dodging export controls, had tech giants worried. Nvidia feared losing access to growing markets like India and Singapore, while AMD grumbled about red tape. Critics said the regulation was so tangled it would choke American innovation and giftwrap the global AI hardware market for China. Since whispers of the reversal began, Nvidia and AMD stocks got a nice little bump (4.4% and 3.4%, respectively). But there’s a catch — China’s still off-limits for top-tier chips, and even mid-range models now face red tape. **Insights:** This backpedal hints at a broader rethink of how the U.S. regulates AI — less “Cold War clampdown,” more “let’s not shoot ourselves in the foot.” It’s a win for chipmakers eager to dominate global AI markets, but the road to China remains blocked. Washington might be loosening its grip, but the game of semiconductor chess with Beijing is far from over. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Latham leads on Gaming Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/latham-leads-on-gaming-deal/ Last updated: 2025-05-09T15:49:05.000Z **In Short:** CVC Capital Partners is levelling up its portfolio with a reported $2.5 billion strategic investment in mobile gaming unicorn Dream Games, the creator of smash-hit puzzle app *Royal Match*. **What is the deal?** Private equity heavyweight CVC is injecting capital into Dream Games, replacing the company’s original venture capital backers after five years. The Turkish-British gaming studio is best known for *Royal Match*, which it claims is the world’s top-grossing puzzle game. With CVC now as its sole equity partner, Dream Games plans to grow its “Royal Universe” with more titles and spin-offs. The deal also includes debt financing from Blackstone-managed funds and others, creating a multi-layered structure blending equity, debt, and exit liquidity for earlier investors. The transaction is set to close in Q3 2025, pending regulatory approvals. **Key Legal Points to discuss in applications & interviews:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### BA Owner bets big on Air Travel URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/ba-owner-bets-big-on-air-travel/ Last updated: 2025-05-09T13:58:09.000Z **In Short**: British Airways' parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), has just dropped serious cash on 53 new long-haul jets — 32 from Boeing and 21 from Airbus. It’s a bold move in the face of economic wobbles, signalling confidence that the long-haul travel boom isn’t just a post-pandemic blip. **What’s Going On?** This is more than just plane shopping. The order split keeps both transatlantic relationships and IAG’s multi-airline strategy flying smoothly. The Boeing 787-10s are earmarked for British Airways, while the Airbus A330neos will head to its other brands like Aer Lingus and Iberia. It's also great PR: the Boeing part of the deal was publicly cheered by the US commerce secretary during a fresh UK-US trade pact announcement. Even so, IAG did admit economy ticket sales to US tourists have softened — likely a sign that not everyone’s bank account is ready to stretch across the Atlantic. **Insights**: This order signals two things: IAG is betting big on premium travel staying strong, and it’s hedging across suppliers and airlines to spread risk. It’s also a quiet vote of confidence in transatlantic trade — even if holidaymakers are tightening their seatbelts. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How the US-UK Trade Deal impacts Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-the-us-uk-trade-deal-impacts-law-firms/ Last updated: 2025-05-08T16:45:11.000Z **In Short:** Trump and Starmer struck a UK-US trade deal, lowering barriers for American goods—especially agriculture, chemicals, energy, and autos—and easing tariffs on key UK exports like cars and plane parts. **What was agreed?** - **UK will fast-track** American goods at customs and reduce trade barriers, especially for agriculture, chemicals, energy, and industrial exports. - **Increased access** for US beef, ethanol, and other farm products. - **Tariffs:** 10% tariff on UK imports will remain in force but Rolls Royce engines will be tariff free. - **Steel & aluminium**: The 25% tariffs on UK steel and aluminium imported by the US will be scrapped. - **Tariff relief for UK cars:** 100,000 cars can enter the US at a 10% tariff instead of 27.5%. - **Preferential treatment** for the UK if new US sector tariffs are imposed (e.g. pharma, lumber, semiconductors etc.). - **Talks to continue** on a digital trade deal and cooperation in advanced tech like quantum computing and aerospace. **Insights**: Trump’s using the deal to calm tariff-weary markets and signal he’s open to deals—as long as he’s dictating terms. For the UK, it’s a Brexit-era milestone showing it *can* strike bilateral pacts. But the complexity and delays reveal the hard truth: bespoke trade deals are marathons, not sprints. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Shoe Trouble URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/shoe-trouble/ Last updated: 2025-05-09T13:57:45.000Z **In Short:** 76 major shoe brands—including **Nike**, **Adidas**, and **Skechers**—have begged President Trump to spare footwear from punishing new tariffs. They argue these levies could send sneaker prices soaring and crush the industry. **What’s Going On?** The U.S. has slapped eye-watering tariffs (up to 145%!) on imports from big trade partners, especially China. The footwear industry, already groaning under hefty duties (up to *37.5%* on kids’ shoes), fears these new tariffs will stomp out profits and force price hikes. Companies like **Adidas** and **Skechers** have even pulled back their financial forecasts, spooked by the trade policy rollercoaster. The FDRA’s plea highlights an “existential threat” to both businesses and families—if costs rise sharply, jobs could vanish, shops could shut, and parents might think twice before shelling out £80 for junior’s trainers. **Insights:** This isn’t just a shoe story—it’s a textbook case of how tariff wars ripple through entire industries. Beyond the boardrooms of **Nike** and **Under Armour**, this battle shows how unpredictable trade policies can kneecap business planning, stifle growth, and hit consumers where it hurts: their wallets. If Trump holds firm, expect price hikes, retail disruption, and a whole lot of grumpy shoppers. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Tech Success, Tariffs ease URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/tech-success-tariffs-ease/ Last updated: 2025-05-04T10:39:18.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here's all the news you need to know from last week plus what to look out for this week. Ludo will be running Vac Scheme coaching sessions including TC interview prep calls. Spots limited. [Book here](https://form.fillout.com/t/gmN6LudnGTus?ref=ziplaw.uk). --- ### **Tech Stocks Success** Good news for (most of) big tech this week: - **Microsoft** cheered investors with 13% revenue growth to $70.1 billion and an 18% rise in net profit to $25.8 billion. Its cloud-computing division met expectations, easing concerns over growth. - **Meta** also impressed, posting a 35% profit jump to $16.6 billion. The company increased spending on data centres and launched a new AI app to compete with ChatGPT, signalling Mark Zuckerberg’s AI ambitions. Yet not everyone had *just* good news—**Apple** beat expectations but it faces possible criminal charges for dodging an in-app purchase injunction in its battle with Epic Games. The order was meant to stop Apple from using anti-competitive tactics and force it to allow outside payment options in the App Store. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-10.png) --- ### **Trump eases car Tariffs** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-6-1.png) Credit: Bloomberg Trump has dialled back some of the tough tariffs he slapped on imported cars and parts, which had been driving up costs for carmakers. He paused duties on aluminium and steel and tweaked his hefty 25% car tariff. Now, automakers building cars in the U.S. with foreign parts can get a small tax rebate—3.75% this year, dropping to 2.75% next. - **Sounds like good news, right?** Not quite. Big players like GM and Stellantis are still nervous. Constant policy changes make it hard to plan (or sleep at night). Trump’s tariff tweak offers short-term relief, but the industry fears more trade curveballs ahead. --- ### **Deliveroo, time to sell?** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-8-1.png) **Deliveroo** might soon be off the menu—U.S. delivery giant **DoorDash** has served up a £2.7 billion takeover offer. With food delivery profits as thin as a pizza slice after your flatmate’s had a go, Deliveroo sees this as a smart exit. DoorDash wants to bulk up its European presence to take on Uber Eats and Just Eat. The pandemic boom in food delivery has cooled, with inflation, higher wages, and finicky customers making life tough. If the deal gets the green light, expect another big shake-up in the ever-hungry battle for your takeaway cravings. --- ### **Factory Buy-Out** **Airbus** is buying key factories from **Spirit AeroSystems** in the U.S., France, and Northern Ireland—sites that make essential aircraft body parts. **Boeing**, not wanting to be left out, is reclaiming the rest of Spirit’s business. - **Why?** Thanks to geopolitical tensions and tariffs, supply chains have been a mess, and both aerospace giants want more control. Spirit was once Boeing’s baby before it was spun off 20 years ago. Now, as demand for planes takes off again post-pandemic, Airbus and Boeing are racing to secure production and dodge future trade and supply headaches. --- ### **Paramount, CBS & the Trump Tangle** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-5.png) **Paramount**, which owns **CBS**, is facing a media storm. A top producer at CBS’s *60 Minutes* quit, claiming management was meddling with editorial content—never a good look for a news outlet. Whispers suggest Paramount’s keeping things tidy to avoid upsetting its planned merger with Skydance Media (and maybe the Trump administration too). Meanwhile, Paramount is reportedly settling a lawsuit from Trump, who says CBS unfairly edited his interview. The saga highlights a tricky modern truth: keeping journalism independent while chasing corporate deals is hard, if not impossible. --- ### **Eurozone Grows, ECB Cuts Rates (Again)** Good news (sort of): the eurozone’s economy grew 0.4% in early 2025, and Germany even managed a small 0.2% boost. Fearing Trump’s trade war might rain on this fragile parade, the European Central Bank (**ECB**) cut interest rates—again—bringing them down to 2.25%. - **The goal?** Get people and businesses spending. So far, consumer splurging and industrial work are keeping things afloat, but global trade dramas and political surprises still lurk. The ECB is playing economic babysitter, but one wrong move (or tariff) and this cautious recovery could trip over its own shoelaces. Unlock access to all our Application Insiders including Fried Frank and BCLP right now. [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- ### **Worth Knowing** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-4.png) **🇺🇸 Awkward Moments: Amazon’s** reported plan to show import duties on product listings sparked a sharp reaction from the **White House**. **Trump’s press secretary** labelled the move “hostile and political.” Amazon quickly denied the idea and **Trump** personally called **Jeff Bezos** to defuse tensions. “He solved the problem very quickly,” the president said, calling Bezos a “*good guy*.” 🇩🇪 **Deutsche Bank** posted its best quarterly profit in 14 years, turning market turmoil into trading gains. After years of restructuring and past losses, the strong results signal a successful turnaround and renewed investor confidence. 🚗 **Pirelli** cut Chinese investor **Sinochem’s** control to avoid U.S. market risks and Western pressure over tech security. The move reflects Europe’s growing push to limit Chinese influence in sensitive industries amid rising U.S.-China tensions. --- **👀 Keep an eye on** ### **Driverless Trucks** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-3.png) Driverless trucks are hitting US highways, with **Aurora Innovation** now operating autonomous freight routes between Dallas and Houston. The company plans to expand its fleet to 10 trucks by the end of 2025\. Startups like Bot Auto and Waabi Innovation are also preparing to launch their own driverless trucks this year, with more competitors expected soon. As autonomous vehicles become more common, expect heated debates over safety regulations and who controls the rules of the road. It’s also a major step for AI moving beyond screens into the physical world. If successful, AI could soon be controlling not just trucks but also industrial robots and other heavy machinery. Unlock 400+ cases, deals, news about your favourite law firms to impress in applications and ACs! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- **➡️ Week Ahead** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/image-2.png) London.. jk, Indonesia. **Monday**: Indonesia announces how much its economy grew (GDP). Ford and Palantir share how much money they made recently in their earnings. - **Why it matters**: Indonesia’s economy affects trade across Asia. Ford (cars) and Palantir (data and AI) earnings give clues about what consumers and businesses are spending on. **Tuesday**: The US reveals its trade balance (how much it sells abroad vs. how much it buys). Kenya also reports its economic growth. - **Why it matters**: US trade data shows how strong or weak global trade is. Kenya’s growth hints at how African economies are doing. **Wednesday**: The US central bank (Federal Reserve) is expected to keep interest rates the same. Disney and Novo Nordisk report earnings. - **Why it matters**: Interest rates affect everything from loan costs to mortgages. Disney’s earnings show how much people are spending on entertainment. Novo Nordisk is important because of rising demand for weight-loss drugs. **Thursday**: The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates. Mexico reports inflation (i.e. how much prices are rising). Big companies including Nintendo, Toyota, Rheinmetall, and Coinbase report earnings. - **Why it matters**: A rate cut means cheaper borrowing in the UK. Mexico’s inflation gives clues about prices in Latin America. The earnings reports cover gaming, cars, defence, and crypto — key industries for jobs and investments. **Friday**: China shares trade data. Brazil reports inflation. Canada releases jobs data for April. - **Why it matters**: China’s trade figures reflect how global buying and selling is going. Brazil and Canada’s data show if prices are rising and if people are getting hired. --- ### Term of the Week ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/05/IMG_3939.jpeg) **Share Sales** — When a shareholder, often a founder or executive, sells their ownership stake in a company by offloading shares, either privately or on public markets. This can be done to raise funds, diversify wealth, or support other ventures, and is often subject to regulatory oversight. Think of it like selling slices of a very big cake you helped bake. You’re still proud of it, but now you want to use the money from those slices to start a new bakery — or maybe fund a rocket to space. - **👀 See it in practice: Amazon** founder **Jeff Bezos** is set to sell up to $4.75bn worth of Amazon shares through to May 2026\. The move follows over $13bn in stock sales during 2024, as Bezos shifts focus to his space venture Blue Origin, charitable projects, and political rebranding. While such sales can raise eyebrows among investors, pre-scheduled plans help avoid regulatory pitfalls like insider trading, share price fluctuations and ensure transparency through SEC filings. --- 🙋 **Did you find this helpful?** If so, please let us know by voting below! ### Easy Hotel Deal URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/easy-hotel-deal/ Last updated: 2025-05-14T18:19:32.000Z BCLP and Skadden are leading on this deal. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How the Retailer Cyberattacks impacts Law Firms URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/how-the-retailer-cyberattacks-impacts-law-firms/ Last updated: 2025-05-02T09:00:20.000Z **In Short:** A wave of cyberattacks has disrupted some of the UK’s biggest retailer including **Marks & Spencer**, **Harrods**, and the **Co-op**,highlighting a growing threat to both business operations and customer trust. Plus an opportunity for law firms. **What Happened?** - **Marks & Spencer (M&S)** has been battling a ransomware-style cyberattack since Easter, knocking out online orders, Click & Collect, contactless payments, and even automated stock systems. The attack wiped **£678mn** off its market value. Experts believe it may be linked to the hacking collective *Scattered Spider*. - **Co-op** detected hackers attempting to access its IT systems and proactively shut down parts of its back office and call centre operations. While stores remain open, the incident shows that even preventive action can cause disruption. - **Harrods** confirmed it had to restrict internet access after unauthorised access attempts were detected. While stores and the website remain operational, some systems were shut down to prevent a breach. These incidents follow a string of previous attacks: **Morrisons** faced a major Christmas cyber incident, **Barclays** and **Lloyds** suffered IT disruptions from hacks, and even schools have been impacted. The **Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime Unit** is now investigating the M&S attack, and the **National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)** has urged all retailers to bolster defences. **How does this impact Law Firms and their clients?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### JetBlue hits Turbulence URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/jetblue-hits-turbulence/ Last updated: 2025-05-08T16:25:48.000Z **In Short:** JetBlue posted a $208 million loss for Q1 and scrapped its full-year forecast after travel demand nosedived and consumer confidence took a holiday of its own. Revenue slid 3.1%, and while premium and international seats did well, domestic demand—especially for off-peak flights—fell flat. **What’s Going On?** Travelers are tightening purse strings, especially on those midweek, non-glamorous flights (sorry, Tuesday flyers). In response, JetBlue slashed over 5% of its planned Q2 capacity and warned of more revenue declines. Bookings have *stabilized*, but the skies aren’t clearing yet. To soften the blow, JetBlue deferred $3 billion in aircraft deliveries and padded its liquidity cushion to a comfy $3.8 billion. Despite the headwinds, its premium and transatlantic services are holding steady, showing there’s still appetite for a little luxury in the air. **Insights:** This isn’t just JetBlue’s problem—American Airlines also ditched its forecast and United Airlines is cautiously clipping its summer wings. It’s a broader signal that airlines are bracing for a prolonged demand slump. JetBlue’s “JetForward” plan shows long-game thinking: trim costs now, bet big on premium, and hope economic skies clear before consumer sentiment totally grounds them. **How Does This Impact Law Firms?** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fines and Elections URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fines-and-elections/ Last updated: 2025-04-27T09:00:13.000Z Hi **ZipLawyer!** Here's all the news you need to know from last week plus what to look out for this week. --- ### **EU fines Big Tech** If you met a particularly excited competition lawyer this week, it's probably because the the EU handed down hefty fines to **Apple** (€500m) and **Meta** (€200m) under its **new Digital Markets Act (DMA)**, which aims to curb anti-competitive behaviour by tech giants. - **What are the fines for?** Apple’s penalty was for limiting how app developers communicate pricing information with customers, while Meta was punished for forcing users to either share personal data for ads or pay subscription fees. Both companies slammed the fines as unfair. - **Why should you care?** These are the first major penalties under the DMA, signalling that Europe’s regulators mean business when it comes to reining in Big Tech’s power. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/04/image-9.png) --- ### **Market Rollercoaster** Stock markets had a shaky week as Trump ramped up pressure on the Federal Reserve, criticising its chair, Jerome Powell, for not cutting interest rates faster. Rumours even spread that Trump was exploring ways to sack Powell. This spooked investors, sending markets down and the dollar to a three-year low. Gold, a classic safe haven, shot to record levels. Trump later calmed markets, saying he wouldn’t fire Powell and hinted at softening trade tensions with China by potentially reducing steep tariffs. Meanwhile, the US slapped massive tariffs on solar panels from several Asian countries, reflecting Trump’s aggressive trade stance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/04/image-6.png) --- ### **Google’s Monopoly** In a landmark ruling, a US federal judge found Google illegally monopolised parts of the digital advertising market, controlling the tools publishers use to sell ads and the exchange where ads are auctioned. This antitrust defeat could force Google to divest parts of its ad business. The case is part of a broader crackdown on Big Tech, following a similar ruling against Google’s search dominance last year. Remedies, like selling Chrome or limiting deals with Apple, are now on the table as regulators target tech giants’ grip on digital markets. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-27-at-09.37.52.png) --- ### **Tariffs hit Temu, Shein** Prices on **Temu** and **Shein** are already climbing as the US prepares to close the **de minimis exemption**, which let shoppers avoid tariffs on imports under $800\. From 2 May, this Trump-ordered crackdown—linked to tackling China’s role in the opioid crisis—will disrupt these retailers' ultra-low pricing. Experts argue the move won’t curb fentanyl but will squeeze low-income consumers. Both platforms, reliant on China-sourced goods, are bracing for margin hits and price hikes, with shoppers lamenting the end of bargain-hunting bliss. Like our roundup? Join ZipLaw+ to get one like this every day of the week! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- ### **Ozempic Copycats** **Novo Nordisk** has scored a major legal victory in Texas, blocking compounding pharmacies from making cheaper versions of its blockbuster weight loss drugs **Ozempic** and **Wegovy**. A US judge denied the pharmacies' request to keep producing copycats while their lawsuit continues. - **Tell me more.** These smaller pharmacies, which customise drugs for individual patients, had been allowed to make these versions during a supply shortage. But now that the US Food and Drug Administration says supply has stabilised, the legal loophole is closed. Novo isn't the only big pharma flexing its legal muscles—**Eli Lilly** has also filed suits against telehealth companies selling similar knock-offs. --- ### **M&S Cyber-Attack** You can thank a cyber attack if, like me, you found yourself awkwardly fumbling for cash because you couldn’t pay for the new M&S pistachio bar with contactless this week. - **What happened? M&S** halted all online orders after a **cyber-attack** disrupted its website and apps. While stores remain open and contactless payments are back, online checkouts stay paused as cybersecurity experts investigate. No customer data has been compromised, but shoppers are warned to watch for scams. Shares dropped 2.3%, highlighting the retail sector’s rising exposure to cyber threats. - **For Law Firms:** The M&S cyber-attack highlights rising demand for cybersecurity and data protection lawyers, especially in retail. As attacks escalate, businesses need advice on regulatory compliance, incident response, and customer notification obligations under laws like the UK GDPR. Lawyers can also assist with third-party liability issues, as companies seek to hold suppliers accountable for security gaps. --- ### **Worth Knowing** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/04/image-7.png) **✝️ Pope Francis' Funeral:** Pope Francis was honoured at St Peter’s Square with 200,000 mourners and global leaders, including Trump, Zelenskyy, and Starmer. His coffin toured Rome before burial at Santa Maria Maggiore—the first pope in a century interred outside the Vatican. **✂️ Cut the Forecast:** The IMF cut global growth forecasts to 2.8% from 3.3%, blaming trade tensions and policy uncertainty. The US expects 1.8% growth, eurozone just 0.8%, with Germany flatlining. Forecasts could shift again amid unpredictable global policies. **🤖 UAE Taps AI for Laws:** The UAE plans to use AI to draft laws, sparking controversy. Despite heavy investment in AI, concerns swirl over its accuracy—AI can “hallucinate” false info. While positioning as a tech pioneer, the UAE risks undermining legal accountability. --- **👀 Keep an eye on** ### **Australia, Singapore Elections** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/04/image-4.png) Canada isn’t the only one heading to the polls—Australia and Singapore both vote this Saturday 3 May with cost-of-living pressures front and centre. In Australia, rising rents, high interest rates, and stubborn inflation dominate the race as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s centre-left Labor government fights for a second term. Both Labor and the opposition Liberal-National coalition, led by Peter Dutton, are promising help for first-time homebuyers amid a national housing crunch. Polls suggest Labor stays in power, though perhaps needing support from independents or smaller parties. Over in Singapore, high living costs remain a key issue too. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has leaned on cash handouts and social welfare to ease post-pandemic economic strain. Wong’s People’s Action Party (PAP), ruling since 1965, has never lost an election, but opposition voices are growing louder. The Workers’ Party won a record 10 seats in 2020, and this year Wong fields 32 new candidates, marking a generational shift within the PAP. Unlock 400+ cases, deals, news about your favourite law firms to impress in applications and ACs! [Join ZipLaw+ ](#/portal/signup) --- **➡️ Week Ahead** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/65/59/65595b49-0168-486e-a3f3-aeef973160e0/content/images/2025/04/image-3.png) **Monday:** Canada holds a national election - Mark Carney (Liberal) vs. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative) - ***Why it matters:*** Canada’s leadership affects trade, energy markets, and its relationship with the US, which impacts businesses across North America. **Tuesday:** US job openings for March; earnings from HSBC, Deutsche Bank, GM, Spotify, and Coca-Cola; Chile’s central bank rate decision; Bloomberg’s BNEF summit in New York. - ***Why it matters:*** Job data shows the health of the US economy; earnings reveal how big companies are coping with inflation and interest rates; central bank decisions shape emerging market stability. **Wednesday:** Trump marks 100 days in office; US Q1 GDP and PCE inflation data; Mexico and eurozone GDP; earnings from Meta, Microsoft, Robinhood; China’s manufacturing PMI; Australia CPI; rate decisions in Thailand and Colombia. - ***Why it matters:*** GDP and inflation shape interest rates and market sentiment; tech earnings reveal trends in advertising, AI, and consumer spending; China's manufacturing data reflects global demand. **Thursday:** Bank of Japan rate decision; earnings from Amazon, Apple, Samsung. - ***Why it matters:*** Japan’s rates influence Asian markets; Big Tech earnings shape the global economy, revealing shifts in consumer habits and tech innovation. **Friday:** US April payrolls report; eurozone and South Korea inflation; earnings from Exxon, Chevron, Shell. - ***Why it matters:*** US jobs data drives Federal Reserve policy; inflation affects consumer prices; oil giant earnings give insight into energy markets and geopolitical tensions. --- ### Term of the Week A **Share Purchase Offer** is like an open invitation to buy a slice of a company. It happens when a company (or an investor) offers to purchase shares from existing shareholders—either to gain control of the company or to invest in it. Think of it like offering to buy your friend’s football game tickets at a set price—it’s up to them whether they want to sell or hold on. - **👀 See it in practice:** **Deliveroo** is in talks to be acquired by US rival **DoorDash** for **£2.7bn**. This would mark yet another UK-listed company snapped up by an overseas buyer. Deliveroo, once valued at £7.6bn at its 2021 IPO, is now trading over 60% below its listing price. Competition from Uber Eats and Amazon's grocery play hasn’t helped. Deliveroo’s board is leaning toward recommending DoorDash’s £1.80-a-share offer. --- 🙋 **Did you find this helpful?** If so, please let us know by voting below! ### Visa Settles URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/visa-settles/ Last updated: 2025-04-23T20:54:55.000Z Stephenson Harwood is leading on this mass claim. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fried Frank boosts Tax practice in London URL: https://www.ziplaw.uk/fried-frank-boosts-tax-practice/ Last updated: 2025-04-15T21:33:14.000Z Here’s what this means for Fried Frank. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ _Includes the latest 500 public posts. Use `/sitemap.xml` for the complete archive of public content._